Mayor Eric Adams slammed latecomer Democratic election rivals Adrienne Adams and Andrew Cuomo Thursday for working “shadow campaigns” capitalizing on his woes — whereas defiantly insisting he’s not going to drop out.
Hizzoner defended his personal apparently largely nonexistent marketing campaign throughout an unrelated press convention close to Washington Sq. Park, arguing his rock-bottom ballot numbers and persevering with corruption case chaos don’t spell re-election doom.
“I’m not a quitter, I’m a New Yorker,” he mentioned. “We by no means give up, by no means quit. This recreation is so removed from over.”
The defiant message got here on the heels of Cuomo, the previous governor, and Metropolis Council Speaker Adrienne Adams each coming into the already crowded Democratic main race prior to now week.
The mayor, who’s of no relation to Adrienne Adams, accused the Council speaker and Cuomo of safely hiding within the shadows whereas he took hits on the entrance traces.
“They have been working shadow campaigns,” he mentioned. “They weren’t being scrutinized, they weren’t being questioned. You didn’t know what their positions have been.”
Adams – whose job approval ranking hit a record-low 20% for a New York Metropolis mayor in a latest ballot – contended that Cuomo, the speaker and the opposite candidates are working on his agenda.
“Now everyone seems to be attempting to shift and know that my successful resolution of turning across the metropolis, from COVID to crime, to jobs to the economic system — everyone seems to be now sounding like Eric Adams,” he mentioned.
Cuomo introduced his long-rumored candidacy Saturday, casting himself as New York Metropolis’s savior.
He entered the race as the moment entrance runner — a surprising reversal of fortune from 2021, when he resigned in shame as governor amid a swirl of sexual harassment accusations. He has constantly denied the accusations.
Adrienne Adams formally entered the race Wednesday. She’ll maintain a kick-off rally Saturday.
For his half, the mayor has shied away from campaigning as his legal case drags out nearer to the June main.
These near Adams had hoped for a fast decision with the brand new Trump administration, however the backlash over how Division of Justice officers dealt with the dismissal — particularly permitting it to be introduced again at any time — pressured the decide to delay even contemplating tossing the case until mid-March.
Adams has defended his absence from the marketing campaign path, contending he’s now an incumbent and doesn’t want to lift his profile.
“I understand how to beat hurdles, I do know it so properly,” he mentioned. “The worst factor I can do is give up to a lie. And I’ll by no means do this.”
Cuomo spokesman Wealthy Azzopardi mentioned: “They know we New York is in disaster and Governor Cuomo has the expertise and the experience to assist put it aside.”
The speaker’s marketing campaign didn’t reply to a request for remark.
— Further reporting by Amanda Woods
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