Adams vs. Adams: City Council Speaker Takes Steps to Join Mayoral Race
City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams says she created a fundraising committee to run for mayor late Wednesday, the first step toward formally joining the race — as another potential big-name challenger, former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, reportedly moves closer to jumping in.
A Potential Challenger Emerges
Buzz around the Queens Council member’s potential run began a few weeks ago as Mayor Eric Adams angered allies by bowing to the Trump administration in order to get favorable treatment from federal prosecutors. The chorus grew louder during the annual Black and Latino Caucus weekend in Albany earlier this month, when guests including Attorney General Letitia James reportedly chanted “Run, Adrienne, run!” as she accepted an award.
A Press Conference and a Decision to be Made
On Thursday, the speaker began her press conference before the bi-monthly stated meeting by addressing what she called “the dire need for leadership right now.”
She hasn’t fully made up her mind yet, but said she took these initial steps to “quickly advance the campaign if I make a decision to run.” She added that the chants for her to run at caucus weekend reached a “crescendo” that surprised her.
“I didn’t seek this,” she added. “It wasn’t in my plans, but as more serious stakeholders in our city have indeed urged me to consider serving the city in this capacity, I’ve given it much more serious consideration.”
Adams told The New York Times that she intends to make a final decision after her State of the City address next Tuesday.
A Response from the Current Mayor
Mayor Adams, no relation, did not comment Thursday morning when asked about his former Bayside High School classmate’s potential run against him.
Registration of Fundraising Committee
The “Adrienne for NYC” campaign account was registered Wednesday with the Campaign Finance Board, to Adams’ home in Queens.
Council Speaker Adrienne Adams holds a press conference at City Hall, Feb. 27, 2025. Credit: Alex Krales/THE CITY
While Adams herself said she took steps to file this week, CFB officials confirmed to THE CITY that her citywide account was first registered in 2022.
A Field of Candidates
She would be jumping into a large field of Democratic primary candidates that could, potentially, also include former Cuomo, although he has not formally announced his campaign.
A Historical Significance
Gothamist noted that Adams, 64, would be the first woman, the first Black woman and the first City Council speaker to become mayor of New York.
A Competing Challenger
Also on Wednesday, allies of Cuomo launched a political action committee to boost his increasingly likely campaign for mayor, the Times reported. On Tuesday, the paper quoted people close to him, saying the former governor was going to jump into the race in a matter of days.
The Ballot Process
The process of candidates gathering signatures to get on the ballot officially began this week and runs through early April. After election officials certify those petitions, the ballot list for the June 24 primaries will be set.
A Previous Interview
In a sit-down interview with THE CITY in 2023, Speaker Adams didn’t want to rule anything out about her political future but also didn’t seem interested in a run for higher office.
“I keep saying ‘25 and out.’ So, that’s been my mantra,” she said, referring to the year 2025 when her term is up.
“I don’t want anything to cloud me from doing what I have to do right now,” she said at the time, when the city was dealing with post-pandemic budget gaps and a rapidly growing migrant population.
Conclusion
The potential mayoral run of City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams adds another layer of complexity to the already crowded Democratic primary field. While her decision is not yet final, her steps to create a fundraising committee suggest she may be seriously considering a run.
FAQs
- What is the current state of the mayoral race?
The Democratic primary field is crowded, with several potential candidates, including City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams and former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, considering runs. - When will the ballot process begin?
The process of candidates gathering signatures to get on the ballot officially began this week and runs through early April. - What is the significance of Adrienne Adams’ potential run?
If she were to win, she would be the first woman, the first Black woman, and the first City Council speaker to become mayor of New York.
