Eric Adams Leaves Democratic Primary, to Seek Reelection as an Independent
The mayor is currently experiencing tensions with his party and is seeking time to regroup following the now-dismissed federal charges.
TroibNews 
NEW YORK — Mayor Eric Adams is forgoing a bid in New York City’s Democratic primary and is instead running for reelection as an independent, marking a significant shift as he distances himself from the city's major political party.
In an exclusive confirmation to PMG, Adams revealed his plans. During an interview on Monday, he articulated his intent to “mount a real independent campaign” anchored by “a solid base of people” beyond Manhattan, with a particular focus on ethnic minorities who played a crucial role in his victory four years ago. He expressed frustration about the bribery charges federal prosecutors brought against him in September, which a judge dismissed on Wednesday, stating they had “handcuffed” him. He assured he would be “uninhibited” throughout his campaign.
“I have been this racehorse that has been held back,” he noted, adding, “This is so unnatural for me.”
The campaign is poised to create a chaotic scene in the nation’s largest city, which shifted somewhat to the right last November. It sets the stage for a showdown between a combative mayor with ties to President Donald Trump and the Democratic primary winner, led by Andrew Cuomo.
Adams intends to gather the necessary 3,750 signatures by May 27 to secure a spot on the November ballot, focusing on public safety. On Thursday, he plans to unveil a campaign video where he addresses his personal struggles, regrets over past judgments, and criticizes his opponents for being soft on crime.
Despite the significant hurdles ahead—winning over New Yorkers who typically favor Democrats, defending his record of critiquing his own party more than Trump’s, and starting off at a financial disadvantage after being denied over $4 million in public matching funds—Adams remains optimistic about his approach.
“I’m in the race to the end. I’m not running on the Democratic line. It’s just not realistic to turn around my numbers and to run a good campaign where we are right now,” he told PMG, adding, “It hurts like hell.”
This strategy allows Adams additional time to recover from the damaging fallout of the corruption charges, provides him with a chance to engage the city’s rising number of unaffiliated voters, and helps him sidestep what polls indicate would be a likely defeat in the June 24 primary. He also stated he would be prepared to “go to court if need be and fight for our matching funds,” which are vital to a successful campaign.
Believing this move enables him to reintroduce himself to voters as he has always desired—a former police captain dedicated to public safety and a political figure who transcends traditional party lines—Adams sees his legal troubles as part of a narrative that can resonate with voters familiar with personal challenges. “My life story is what is my most potent weapon,” he said.
However, this endeavor is a substantial gamble.
Under normal circumstances—absent extraordinary events like the 1990s crime wave that propelled Republican Rudy Giuliani to office or the aftermath of the Sept. 11 attacks that benefitted self-funded billionaire Mike Bloomberg—New Yorkers generally prefer to elect Democrats. While Republicans are expected to field a candidate, Adams has seven months to connect with less engaged voters whom he believes will respond positively.
Short on funds and political allies, Adams does benefit from the advantages of being an incumbent, including widespread media attention, and he believes his personal charm and political skills will aid him.
“Now I need this runway until November to redefine and remind people: This is why you elected me in the first place,” he stated.
With 3.3 million registered Democrats, 1.1 million independents, and 558,778 Republicans in New York City, the Democratic advantage is significant; however, 220,346 voters have registered as independents in the last eight years.
Adams and his team are banking on the Democratic nominee winning by a narrow margin—a reasonable expectation given the crowded field and the nature of ranked-choice voting. They believe he can attract disenchanted Democratic voters, although this is a risky proposition considering his apparent alignment with many of Trump’s policies.
Several associates acknowledge that his best chance may come against Democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani rather than moderate Andrew Cuomo.
Regardless of the outcome, the shadow of national politics looms large.
New Yorkers overwhelmingly rejected Trump, and research from rival campaigns indicates a strong desire for a candidate who will confront him. Although Adams has chosen not to change his party affiliation, he expresses more willingness to criticize the progressive wing of his party and Biden’s administration than he does Trump.
Adams revealed he seriously contemplated suing the Biden administration over the financial strain on the city from new migrant arrivals but was advised against it for political reasons. He indicated dissatisfaction with city commissioners who criticize Trump but remain silent on Biden’s border policies.
After his case was cleared, he highlighted a book critical of the “deep state” by FBI Director Kash Patel, which he finds relevant to his situation. “Read it and understand how we can never allow this to happen to another innocent American,” he urged.
Nonetheless, Adams conveyed his frustration with extremism on both sides and believes that this election will validate his views.
“The mayor’s going to set forth policy he believes is right. He’s going to do it with authenticity, regardless of whether it’s coming from the Trump administration or traditional Democratic leadership,” his close friend and adviser Frank Carone remarked in an interview. “He is the mayor of New York City, not the mayor of the Democratic Party.”
Carone described himself as the head of the campaign and mentioned that a new team is being organized, which will not likely include two top aides from Adams’s 2021 campaign.
Carone and Adams underscored successes they feel have been overshadowed by chaos and scandal at City Hall, such as reductions in crime, increased housing construction, job growth, and better tourism metrics. They assert that Adams’s decision to cut municipal services, while unpopular at the time, demonstrates his bravery and sensibility in light of the city’s strong fiscal health.
“New York is just objectively in a better place today than it was Jan. 1, 2022, when the Adams administration began,” Carone commented. “When the people of New York focus on that and not the rest of the noise … then I think you’re going to see a different tone coming out of the voting public.”
Adams criticized his rivals during the interview, specifically calling out Cuomo for reforms to state bail laws that the mayor holds responsible for a rise in crime during the Covid era. “Look at bail reform — that’s Andrew,” Adams asserted. “He can’t say, ‘I’m going to save the city from the far left’ when he surrendered to the far left.”
Cuomo defended his support for cashless bail, arguing it addressed a significant social injustice.
“Bail reform righted a terrible social wrong. We were putting people in Rikers, in jail, who hadn’t been found guilty of anything, just because they couldn't make bail,” he remarked. “It shouldn’t be that because you’re wealthy, then you can make bail and you’re released, but if you can’t make bail then you stay in jail even though you haven’t been found guilty of anything yet.”
Adams also criticized Cuomo for resigning in 2021 amid allegations of sexual misconduct, which Cuomo denies.
“I never put my personal challenges in the way of delivering for New Yorkers,” he stated. “What happens the next time he has a personal crisis? Is he going to abandon the city?”
Despite facing scandals involving at least six top aides, Adams has not entertained calls for his resignation.
Moving forward, the mayor who believes God appointed him to lead the nation’s largest city and who resists backing down from conflict is embarking on this unprecedented course. This marks a significant change for someone who claimed four years ago to be the “face of the new Democratic Party.”
In a reflective moment on Monday, seated inside the mayoral residence at Gracie Mansion without aides, Adams hesitated when asked what still draws him to the Democratic Party.
“I think there are good people in the party,” he replied, adding, “I think there are good people in all of these parties.”
When asked if Democrats can win back working-class voters, Adams expressed concerns over extreme positions in both parties, noted that Trump won the election fairly, and criticized “hypocrisy” among those disturbed by Trump’s attempts to dismiss his case while overlooking Biden’s actions regarding his son, Hunter.
He reiterated his goal to appeal to working-class voters and took the opportunity to critique Democrats who draw parallels between Trump and Adolf Hitler.
He acknowledged some disagreements with the Biden administration, including his administration's lawsuit regarding the Trump administration's withdrawal of $80 million in federal funds from a city account, as well as his refusal to assist with any civil immigration enforcement actions.
The challenges are significant, but Adams remains resolute about shaping his future—as uncertain as it may be.
“If I’m able to come back, with all that I went through,” he said, “people were celebrating my demise, and I’m able to come back and be elected again as mayor, no citizen in this city will ever give up.”
Sophie Wagner for TROIB News
In an exclusive confirmation to PMG, Adams revealed his plans. During an interview on Monday, he articulated his intent to “mount a real independent campaign” anchored by “a solid base of people” beyond Manhattan, with a particular focus on ethnic minorities who played a crucial role in his victory four years ago. He expressed frustration about the bribery charges federal prosecutors brought against him in September, which a judge dismissed on Wednesday, stating they had “handcuffed” him. He assured he would be “uninhibited” throughout his campaign.
“I have been this racehorse that has been held back,” he noted, adding, “This is so unnatural for me.”
The campaign is poised to create a chaotic scene in the nation’s largest city, which shifted somewhat to the right last November. It sets the stage for a showdown between a combative mayor with ties to President Donald Trump and the Democratic primary winner, led by Andrew Cuomo.
Adams intends to gather the necessary 3,750 signatures by May 27 to secure a spot on the November ballot, focusing on public safety. On Thursday, he plans to unveil a campaign video where he addresses his personal struggles, regrets over past judgments, and criticizes his opponents for being soft on crime.
Despite the significant hurdles ahead—winning over New Yorkers who typically favor Democrats, defending his record of critiquing his own party more than Trump’s, and starting off at a financial disadvantage after being denied over $4 million in public matching funds—Adams remains optimistic about his approach.
“I’m in the race to the end. I’m not running on the Democratic line. It’s just not realistic to turn around my numbers and to run a good campaign where we are right now,” he told PMG, adding, “It hurts like hell.”
This strategy allows Adams additional time to recover from the damaging fallout of the corruption charges, provides him with a chance to engage the city’s rising number of unaffiliated voters, and helps him sidestep what polls indicate would be a likely defeat in the June 24 primary. He also stated he would be prepared to “go to court if need be and fight for our matching funds,” which are vital to a successful campaign.
Believing this move enables him to reintroduce himself to voters as he has always desired—a former police captain dedicated to public safety and a political figure who transcends traditional party lines—Adams sees his legal troubles as part of a narrative that can resonate with voters familiar with personal challenges. “My life story is what is my most potent weapon,” he said.
However, this endeavor is a substantial gamble.
Under normal circumstances—absent extraordinary events like the 1990s crime wave that propelled Republican Rudy Giuliani to office or the aftermath of the Sept. 11 attacks that benefitted self-funded billionaire Mike Bloomberg—New Yorkers generally prefer to elect Democrats. While Republicans are expected to field a candidate, Adams has seven months to connect with less engaged voters whom he believes will respond positively.
Short on funds and political allies, Adams does benefit from the advantages of being an incumbent, including widespread media attention, and he believes his personal charm and political skills will aid him.
“Now I need this runway until November to redefine and remind people: This is why you elected me in the first place,” he stated.
With 3.3 million registered Democrats, 1.1 million independents, and 558,778 Republicans in New York City, the Democratic advantage is significant; however, 220,346 voters have registered as independents in the last eight years.
Adams and his team are banking on the Democratic nominee winning by a narrow margin—a reasonable expectation given the crowded field and the nature of ranked-choice voting. They believe he can attract disenchanted Democratic voters, although this is a risky proposition considering his apparent alignment with many of Trump’s policies.
Several associates acknowledge that his best chance may come against Democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani rather than moderate Andrew Cuomo.
Regardless of the outcome, the shadow of national politics looms large.
New Yorkers overwhelmingly rejected Trump, and research from rival campaigns indicates a strong desire for a candidate who will confront him. Although Adams has chosen not to change his party affiliation, he expresses more willingness to criticize the progressive wing of his party and Biden’s administration than he does Trump.
Adams revealed he seriously contemplated suing the Biden administration over the financial strain on the city from new migrant arrivals but was advised against it for political reasons. He indicated dissatisfaction with city commissioners who criticize Trump but remain silent on Biden’s border policies.
After his case was cleared, he highlighted a book critical of the “deep state” by FBI Director Kash Patel, which he finds relevant to his situation. “Read it and understand how we can never allow this to happen to another innocent American,” he urged.
Nonetheless, Adams conveyed his frustration with extremism on both sides and believes that this election will validate his views.
“The mayor’s going to set forth policy he believes is right. He’s going to do it with authenticity, regardless of whether it’s coming from the Trump administration or traditional Democratic leadership,” his close friend and adviser Frank Carone remarked in an interview. “He is the mayor of New York City, not the mayor of the Democratic Party.”
Carone described himself as the head of the campaign and mentioned that a new team is being organized, which will not likely include two top aides from Adams’s 2021 campaign.
Carone and Adams underscored successes they feel have been overshadowed by chaos and scandal at City Hall, such as reductions in crime, increased housing construction, job growth, and better tourism metrics. They assert that Adams’s decision to cut municipal services, while unpopular at the time, demonstrates his bravery and sensibility in light of the city’s strong fiscal health.
“New York is just objectively in a better place today than it was Jan. 1, 2022, when the Adams administration began,” Carone commented. “When the people of New York focus on that and not the rest of the noise … then I think you’re going to see a different tone coming out of the voting public.”
Adams criticized his rivals during the interview, specifically calling out Cuomo for reforms to state bail laws that the mayor holds responsible for a rise in crime during the Covid era. “Look at bail reform — that’s Andrew,” Adams asserted. “He can’t say, ‘I’m going to save the city from the far left’ when he surrendered to the far left.”
Cuomo defended his support for cashless bail, arguing it addressed a significant social injustice.
“Bail reform righted a terrible social wrong. We were putting people in Rikers, in jail, who hadn’t been found guilty of anything, just because they couldn't make bail,” he remarked. “It shouldn’t be that because you’re wealthy, then you can make bail and you’re released, but if you can’t make bail then you stay in jail even though you haven’t been found guilty of anything yet.”
Adams also criticized Cuomo for resigning in 2021 amid allegations of sexual misconduct, which Cuomo denies.
“I never put my personal challenges in the way of delivering for New Yorkers,” he stated. “What happens the next time he has a personal crisis? Is he going to abandon the city?”
Despite facing scandals involving at least six top aides, Adams has not entertained calls for his resignation.
Moving forward, the mayor who believes God appointed him to lead the nation’s largest city and who resists backing down from conflict is embarking on this unprecedented course. This marks a significant change for someone who claimed four years ago to be the “face of the new Democratic Party.”
In a reflective moment on Monday, seated inside the mayoral residence at Gracie Mansion without aides, Adams hesitated when asked what still draws him to the Democratic Party.
“I think there are good people in the party,” he replied, adding, “I think there are good people in all of these parties.”
When asked if Democrats can win back working-class voters, Adams expressed concerns over extreme positions in both parties, noted that Trump won the election fairly, and criticized “hypocrisy” among those disturbed by Trump’s attempts to dismiss his case while overlooking Biden’s actions regarding his son, Hunter.
He reiterated his goal to appeal to working-class voters and took the opportunity to critique Democrats who draw parallels between Trump and Adolf Hitler.
He acknowledged some disagreements with the Biden administration, including his administration's lawsuit regarding the Trump administration's withdrawal of $80 million in federal funds from a city account, as well as his refusal to assist with any civil immigration enforcement actions.
The challenges are significant, but Adams remains resolute about shaping his future—as uncertain as it may be.
“If I’m able to come back, with all that I went through,” he said, “people were celebrating my demise, and I’m able to come back and be elected again as mayor, no citizen in this city will ever give up.”
Sophie Wagner for TROIB News
