Several candidates for the 2025 New York City mayoral election have started calling for Mayor Adams to step down as FBI agents conducted searches of multiple of his aides. The unsealing of the indictment on Thursday (September 26) marks the beginning of what is set to be a heated mayoral election battle next year.
Many of the candidates in the upcoming mayoral race have political records that lean towards the progressive wing of the Democratic Party. Among them are City Comptroller Brad Lander, former City Comptroller Scott Stringer, State Senators Jessica Ramos and Zellnor Myrie, as well as State Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani. There are also rumors circulating about former Governor Andrew Cuomo and Republican City Councilman Joe Borelli possibly entering the race.
Most of the aforementioned candidates have already clearly stated their intentions to run for the next term as the mayor of New York City, while Cuomo has yet to make a definitive statement. Borelli, on Wednesday evening, told the New York Post that he would consider running if Adams voluntarily resigns.
Adams can continue to hold his position while facing federal charges, unless Governor Hochu takes drastic action to force him out of office.
Hochu released a statement on Thursday evening, saying, “I have carefully reviewed the indictment issued by the U.S. Department of Justice. This indictment is the latest development in a series of disturbing events that have understandably caused unease among many New Yorkers.”
“Our justice system is based on the fundamental principle that ‘we are all presumed innocent until proven guilty without evidence.’ However, those of us who choose to hold elected office know that we must adhere to higher standards. Given the responsibilities we bear as public servants, this is entirely appropriate,” Hochu stated.
Hochu continued, saying, “I hope the mayor takes a few days to assess the situation and find a proper path forward to ensure that the residents of New York City receive the good service from their leadership. We must instill confidence in New Yorkers that there is stable and accountable leadership at all levels of government.”