Former N.Y. Comptroller Carl McCall backs Eric Adams for mayor, joins team as economic recovery adviser

A former New York State comptroller is throwing his support behind Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams in his run for mayor.

Carl McCall, who in 1994 became the first Black person elected to statewide office in New York and who ran a failed bid for governor in 2002, will also join Adams’ campaign as a senior adviser focused on the city’s economic recovery.

McCall said he’s backing Adams because “he has the experience, expertise and integrity needed to run New York at this critical moment.”

“Eric has lived through inequality and injustice, and stood up to fight it again and again,” McCall said. “[He] will ensure that this city has a strong, safe, speedy recovery that includes the people who have been left behind in the past so that they can finally share in the city’s prosperity.”

Brooklyn Borough President and New York City mayoral candidate Eric Adams (left) and Carl McCall, former state comptroller.

Adams, a former NYPD captain and state senator, has been leading the pack in some recent polls, but other surveys put Andrew Yang at the head of the field.

The borough president has focused much of his campaigning in recent weeks on public safety as violent crime has been on the rise.

So far, he’s won endorsements from several powerful unions, including the municipal workers union DC 37, the Hotel Trades Council and 32BJ SEIU, which represents service workers. He’s also received stamps of approval from Borough Presidents Donovan Richards of Queens and Ruben Diaz Jr. of the Bronx.

“It is an honor to receive the endorsement of Carl McCall, a trailblazer for Black New Yorkers and a deeply respected economic mind,” Adams said. “This great New York City turnaround will take an all-out effort, utilizing our best and brightest to ensure we recover fast and strong and that all New Yorkers benefit. I know that with Mr. McCall on our team, we will be successful.”

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