NYC Mayoral Race Kicks Off Amid Scandal, Surprises, and a Crowded Field
Inside City Hall. Courtesy of Department of Citywide Administrative Services.
We are just recovering from the presidential election, and absorbing the daily blows from Donald Trump’s attempt to not just be president, but to be a Napoleonic Monarch. He actually quotes Napolean — “He who saves his Country does not violate any Law” is now pinned atop his Truth Social profile. What makes this most unusual is that our sitting mayor, Eric Adams, indicted and then temporarily unindicted, has no plans to leave. Former resigned-in-disgrace Governor Andrew Cuomo has also jumped in. So has City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams. And there will be a strong, well-financed independent candidate, Jim Walden. The Democratic Primary is June 24 (utilizing ranked-choice voting, which means Democrats get to vote for five candidates), but come out with one Democratic candidate. That candidate will run against Curtis Sliwa and Walden. Fundraising has gone well for some, not for others. In March you were confronted by petitioners seeking to put one of these candidates on the ballot. Who are they?
Meet the Candidates
Mayoral Primary June 24, 2025
DEMOCRATS
Eric Adams (Incumbent)
Despite his incumbency, Adams faces mounting obstacles: a dismissed indictment, a crumbled inner circle, no public campaign funds, and an approval rating stuck in the low 20s. While he touts public safety improvements and the City of Yes zoning reform as achievements, critics argue his administration has been defined by chaos, high crime, and political intrigue. His recent alignment with the Trump administration only complicates his path. He is polling at about 8%. Pretty bad.
Andrew Cuomo (Former Governor)
Cuomo’s reemergence in city politics comes with baggage—sexual harassment allegations, pandemic-era controversies, and a book deal scandal. Still, he touts his long record on infrastructure, LGBTQ+ rights, and public health reforms. Early polling puts him way ahead, but his polarizing reputation could work against him in a city that hasn’t forgotten 2021… or 2020. He may soon get the support of Local 1199.
Brad Lander (NYC Comptroller)
A longtime progressive from Park Slope, Lander enters the race as a detail-oriented technocrat. His criticism of Adams as comptroller has gained him visibility, and he boasts the highest cash-on-hand among all candidates. Lander hopes to rally progressive voters, though he may struggle to build broader appeal across the five boroughs, and has a pizzazz problem. He is polling at around 10%.
Adrienne Adams (City Council Speaker)
As the current City Council Speaker, Adrienne Adams is running as a moderate voice with deep experience in city governance. She’s a respected figure within the Council and has drawn support from key elected officials. Still, her late entry and low name recognition outside of political circles could pose hurdles. And no City Council Speaker has ever become Mayor (ask Christine Quinn).Only a blip in the polls.
Zohran Mamdani (Assembly Member)
Mamdani represents the furthest-left flank of the Democratic field. A Democratic Socialist from Queens, he supports rent freezes, free transit, and public supermarkets. His campaign is flush with grassroots donors, He is actually the first candidate to max out, with over 70,000 small dollar donors. His views on Israel and his hard-left identity may prove polarizing. He is running second in the polls.
Scott Stringer (Former Comptroller)
Stringer is aiming for a comeback after his 2021 mayoral bid was derailed by misconduct allegations. With decades of city government experience and solid early fundraising, he’s trying to rebrand himself as a corruption-fighting centrist. He won for Comptroller over former Governor Elliot Spitzer with big union support. This time he has none. Polling at around 8%.
Jessica Ramos (State Senator)
Known for her labor advocacy and opposition to big real estate interests, Ramos is running on a pro-worker, pro-housing platform. Despite legislative wins and grassroots support, her slow fundraising and limited name recognition citywide may limit her impact. Hasn’t qualified for matching funds.
Zellnor Myrie (State Senator)
A Brooklyn legislator with a growing reputation, Myrie is positioning himself as a pragmatic progressive focused on housing and education. With solid fundraising numbers and a compelling personal story, he may appeal to both Adams’ base and more liberal voters.
Michael Blake (Former Assembly Member)
An Obama-era political staffer and Bronx native, Blake is campaigning on affordability, middle-class tax relief, and nonprofit support. His biggest challenge is standing out in a crowded field with limited funds and recent electoral losses. Had hoped to be the fall back from Eric Adams. Isn’t happening.
Whitney Tilson (Investor and Charter School Advocate)
Tilson is a wealthy Upper East Sider running on a fiscally conservative, pro-charter school platform. With no political experience and modest fundraising, he faces an uphill battle. He has a lot of personal money to spend, but doesn’t even show in the polls.
INDEPENDENT
Jim Walden (Attorney and Anti-Corruption Advocate)
A former federal prosecutor, and the lawyer who just rescued City retirees from Medicare Advantage, Walden is running as an independent reformer, vowing to root out corruption and streamline City services. With significant self-funding and outsider appeal, he’s drawing comparisons to Bloomberg (though he is not a billionaire), He’s a longshot but will be around after June’s primary. He won’t be on a ballot till November
REPUBLICAN
Curtis Sliwa (Radio host & Guardian Angels founder)
Curtis Sliwa is back for another run after losing to Adams in 2021. Backed by all five city GOP county parties, he’s leaning hard into crime and quality-of-life issues, hoping to appeal to disillusioned moderates and conservatives. He was hoping for a Trump bump. For now Trump is toxic is recent elections.
As the field continues to take shape, one thing is clear: 2025 will be a defining moment for the city’s political future. With the primary just months away, expect a campaign season full of drama, deal-making, and no shortage of surprises, as usual.
