Council Speaker Adrienne Adams Moves Toward Mayoral Bid Amid Chaos

NEW YORK, March 8 — City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams filed campaign documents late Wednesday, signaling her potential entry into the mayoral race to unseat Mayor Eric Adams amid his turbulent administration.

During a Thursday news conference, Speaker Adams, a Democrat from Jamaica, stated, “I didn’t seek this; it wasn’t in my plans, but as many in our city have urged me to consider serving in this capacity, I’ve given it much more serious consideration.” She emphasized the need for strong leadership, saying, “The urgency of this moment and the need for dignified, steady leadership that puts New Yorkers first is something we need now more than ever.”

The urgency Speaker Adams referred to stems from a growing perception of instability in the current administration, notably in light of controversies surrounding Mayor Adams’ leadership and the Republican-controlled federal government under President Trump. Speaker Adams criticized Mayor Adams’ failure to firmly oppose Trump’s initiatives that could negatively impact New York City, stating, “Somebody has to be the voice of the soul of the city.”

While she has yet to make a definitive decision about her candidacy, Speaker Adams is already preparing to mount a campaign as petitioning for ballot access is underway. She is assembling a campaign team, planning to gather petition signatures, and engaging in endorsement meetings with various stakeholders.

Support for her potential candidacy has come from various corners, notably state Attorney General Letitia James and influential municipal union leaders such as those from District Council 37, who view her as a credible challenger to former Governor Andrew Cuomo, also expected to run. Adams has contemplated this decision for some time, acknowledging a challenging relationship between the City Council and Mayor Adams’ administration over the past years.

“It’s been something in the back of my mind for quite a while — how to make things right. What does a relationship with the City Council look like with a true collaborative partner?” she reflected.

Should she enter the race, Speaker Adams would start with approximately $211,000 in campaign funds, as reported by the city Campaign Finance Board. Her move comes at a critical juncture for Mayor Adams, whose political future remains uncertain amid allegations concerning his administration’s ethical conduct. Following the resignations of four deputy mayors earlier this month, Speaker Adams remarked that it was evident the mayor has lost the trust of his own staff and New Yorkers.

Statements from various officials indicate that potential voters see Adams’ candidacy as a vital opportunity for change. State Senator James Sanders Jr. indicated his support and noted the significance of her potential run for Southeast Queens, calling it a moment of pride for the constituency.

Furthermore, a spokesperson for Borough President Donovan Richards expressed gratitude for Adams’ leadership and emphasized the importance of engaging with candidates to discuss their visions for Queens families.

Community Board 12 Chairwoman Carlene Thorbs noted that Adams’ progression to a mayoral candidacy seems like a natural step in her career. “It is just an obvious step on the ladder to take now to run for mayor,” said Thorbs, highlighting Adams’ extensive public service experience as an advantage in the race.

The petitioning process for ballot access continues until April 3, with the Democratic primary scheduled for June 24. The political landscape is warming as candidates prepare for a race that is expected to be closely contested, especially following Cuomo’s recent entry into the fray.