Mayor Adams launches independent reelection bid, targets Mamdani
City Hall (PIX11) — Mayor Eric Adams officially launched an independent bid for re-election Thursday, two days after Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani stunned the city's political establishment by becoming the presumptive Democratic nominee for Mayor.
Adams was flanked by hundreds of supporters on the steps of City Hall, including many members of various religious communities.
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Adams is still trying to move past his now-dismissed federal corruption case, and has made at least one top aide caught up in the investigation, a campaign staffer.
Adams said that for all the controversy, he led the city out of COVID, grew the economy, improved schools and quality of life, while making real progress on housing.
'In my second term, I'm going to continue to bring down crime, build a citywide mental health initiative, expand workforce development and vocational education,' Adams said.
The mayor also took direct aim at Mamdani, calling him a 'snake oil salesman' and accusing him of making big promises he could never deliver.
'This is not a city of handouts,' Adams said. 'It's a city of hands up. We're going to continue to lift New Yorkers up, and I ask you to continue to stand with me.'
Mamdani spoke one-on-one with PIX11 for the first time since Election night.
'This is a mayor who exacerbated the cost-of-living crisis, raised rents, and brought the water bill to its highest level in 13 years,' Mamdani said.
The Assemblymember, who represents parts of Queens, is campaigning on a progressive platform that includes freezing rents on stabilized apartments, making city buses free, and creating universal child care. He said many of these proposals could be paid for through new taxes on the wealthy and corporations.
More: Latest News from Around the Tri-State
PIX 11 pressed Mamdani on how he would move forward with his agenda without support from Albany, particularly after Gov. Kathy Hochul said she would not raise taxes.
'To be clear, freezing the rent requires nothing from the state,' he said. 'It was done three times during the previous mayoral administration. And while raising taxes may be called a non-starter, so was our campaign. What we've done is build a movement unlike much else in this city's history, and that's the movement that will deliver this agenda.'
In the full interview, Mamdani also addressed questions about what compromises he'd be willing to make to accomplish his agenda. Plus, how he plans to keep the city safe with his past criticism of policing.
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