Mayor-elect Eric Adams says he intends to make endorsement in NY governor’s race
Mayor-elect Eric Adams said Tuesday that he plans to make an endorsement in next year’s Democratic primary for governor, but didn’t indicate he’s leaning toward any hopeful in the growing field.
“I’m not clear on who I’m going to endorse right now, but I believe I will,” Adams told reporters outside a resource fair in downtown Brooklyn. “I’m going to leverage my support in the city to see who’s the best person that’s going to look out for New York.”
Adams enjoys a warm public relationship with Gov. Hochul, a former congresswoman from Buffalo who carries the advantage of incumbency after succeeding disgraced former Gov. Andrew Cuomo in August.
The mayor-elect surprised some commentators by inviting Hochul to speak at his victory celebration on Election Night.
But Adams, the Brooklyn borough president, also has a deep-rooted relationship with state Attorney General Letitia James, who is also from Brooklyn and entered the race last month. James is considered a formidable opponent.
Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, a progressive former city councilman from Brooklyn, formally announced a run for governor on Tuesday, too, and Mayor de Blasio is mulling a campaign.
Adams, a relative moderate, would appear an unlikely endorser of Williams — their views on public safety diverge sharply. But the mayor-elect didn’t rule out supporting any gubernatorial contender, and said he and Williams have “done some great things together.”
“I like Jumaane, and we are fortunate to have some great candidates,” Adams said. “I’m sure there are going to be other names that are coming out, and I would like to hear their platforms. Let them campaign.”
“I’ll make a determination based on what they’re campaigning on,” he added, “and what they believe our city should look like.”
