New York City Mayor Eric Adams forms new political party in bid for re-election

New York City Mayor Eric Adams has revealed plans to establish his own political party in a bid for a second term, following the dismissal of bribery charges against him.

In an unorthodox move, Adams believes that running under a newly created party line will give him the best chance to secure re-election, with a particular focus on public safety, Caliber.Az reports via US media.

Having been mired in legal battles for months, Adams, who remains a Democrat, intends to campaign in the general election on a platform highlighting his administration’s successes, including the city’s recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic and a recent decline in violent crime. He aims to position public safety as his “north star” in the campaign.

The decision follows a federal judge’s dismissal of the bribery charges against him earlier this week, after the Justice Department requested the case be dropped, arguing that it had distracted the mayor from effectively governing the city and aiding President Trump’s crackdown on illegal immigration and crime.

With the charges behind him, Adams is now focusing on the fall election, which could be more competitive than usual for New York City’s mayoral race. Typically, the winner of the Democratic primary dominates the general election in this deeply Democratic city, but Adams now faces a formidable challenge from former Governor Andrew Cuomo, a fellow Democrat who is seeking a political comeback.

Carone, a key adviser to Adams, confirmed that the mayor would campaign on his achievements, emphasising his support for law enforcement and economic recovery efforts. "Public safety will be the mayor’s north star," Carone stated.

To qualify for the November ballot under his new party, Adams must gather 3,750 petition signatures by the end of May, according to the New York State Board of Elections.

Adams's time in office has been marked by criminal investigations, including charges of bribery and campaign finance violations. As the first sitting mayor in modern times to face such charges, his political future was in jeopardy. Although the case was dismissed, his critics continue to suggest that his political survival is linked to his ties with Trump, which Adams has denied.

Strategists for Adams believe that campaigning in the general election, as opposed to the primary, will allow him to appeal to centrist Democrats and moderate Republicans—voters who typically do not have a viable choice in a city dominated by Democratic primaries.

The mayor is targeting key voter groups, including conservative Democrats, moderate Republicans, and ethnic communities such as the Jewish community in Queens and Polish residents in Greenpoint.

As he pivots to his re-election campaign, Adams has stepped up fundraising efforts, attending a high-profile fundraiser in March at a luxurious Midtown Manhattan mansion owned by a Kuwaiti billionaire. According to public records, Adams has raised around $4.4 million for his campaign, with roughly $1.3 million in expenses to date.

Speaking at a meet-and-greet in March at La Casa del Mofongo, a Dominican restaurant in upper Manhattan, Adams expressed his determination to secure a second term, despite the political challenges he faces. “Legacies do not go to those who fold,” he declared. “Legacies go to those who are bold.”

By Aghakazim Guliyev