Mayor Eric Adams Braces for Potential Political Redemption Amid New York Review
Mayor Eric Adams, after maintaining a low profile throughout the primary campaign, has re-emerged as the pivotal figure in the Big Apple. The recent primary election results could potentially offer him the opportunity for political redemption, thanks to the surprising outcome. The potential of outspoken socialist Zohran Mamdani taking charge of the largest city in the U.S. prompts a considerable section of the electorate to reassess Adams’s leadership and perhaps offer him another term, in spite of a tumultuous stint in office.
Mamdani’s striking performance in the primary saw him gathering 432,305 of the top-ranked votes, with 93% of the votes accounted for. However, within the grand context of a city with 5.1 million registered voters, in which 1.78 million were legally unable to vote in the Democratic face-off, Mamdani’s success constitutes less than 10% of total voters. Thus, his victory doesn’t necessarily herald an overwhelming mandate or foreshadow a dominant display in the general election.
In his quest for re-election, Adams intends to underscore his overlooked achievements. Led by the effectiveness and unwavering dedication of his police chief, Adams has overseen a significant reduction in the city’s murder rate — a notable decrease of approximately 27% up to this point in 2025. If this pattern persists, it will establish an unprecedented low in homicides in the city’s documented history.
The city’s subway system has also seen a reduction in criminal activity. To date, there has only been one reported homicide in the subway, with total serious offenses in public transportation declining almost 4% up to May. Adams is keen to emphasize these victories, alongside other obstacles he has confronted since assuming office, most of which are no longer relevant.
Adams stepped into office amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. Shortly after assuming leadership, the city saw an influx of migrants arriving in busloads from the Southern border. The right-to-shelter law — a 44-year-old judicial agreement — imposed on Adams the responsibility of providing accommodation for this sudden influx of migrants. This obligation led to expenses upwards of $7 billion for the city.
Altering the right-to-shelter law would have necessitated prolonged bargaining and legal sanctioning, and waving the law was not an option for Adams. Critics may argue that he could have been more assertive in contesting the decree in court or question his excessive reliance on dubious emergency contracts. However, abiding by the law is a necessity. Even for the most proficient administrators, securing shelter for thousands on a weekly basis is a formidable and costly task.
In the course of addressing the influx, Adams did manage to negotiate a significant compromise: to limit single adult migrants to a month-long stay. This important concession contributed to reducing the population of shelter inhabitants from a high of more than 69,000 to just around 37,000 at present.
Turning to housing initiatives, the mayor’s ‘City of Yes for Housing Opportunity’ plan, which was ratified by the City Council last December, has been the most transformative amendment to city land-use regulations since 1961. It has fostered opportunities for the private sector to construct new residential units throughout the city, a step that will eventually bring about 82,000 new homes in 15 years.
Adams’s past and present actions put him in a promising position for November’s general election, even with the hurdles he faces. Realistically, his best shot at securing a win lies in other contestants stepping down to prevent a division of the moderate votes — something that has not so far materialized.
The ultimate verdict will be in the hands of the residents of New York City. Will they offer Mayor Eric Adams another opportunity to lead, affirming his achievements and the progress made under his administration, or will they signal a seismic shift in the city’s political landscape and lean towards socialism?