By Joseph Pisani

New York City Mayor Eric Adams began campaigning in earnest for re-election Thursday as an independent candidate, attacking presumptive Democratic candidate Zohran Mamdani by criticizing some of his progressive platforms.

Mamdani has promised free bus rides and rent freezes for rent-stabilized apartments. The mayor tried to differentiate himself from his rival during a campaign event, denouncing socialism and saying New York is a place where cabdrivers can become doctors and homeless people can become real estate moguls.

"There's no dignity in someone giving you everything for free," he said.

Brooklyn-native Adams is running for his newly created "Safe&Affordable" party, championing issues such as public safety and affordability. His campaign advertising urges voters to "Re-elect Eric for Mayor," eschewing his last name.

Adams has cited his federal bribery case for his decision to stay out of the Democratic primary, saying it made it impossible to mount a proper fight in that race. A federal judge dismissed the case in April.

After the case's dismissal, Adams announced plans to start his own political party to run for a second term. He would still be a Democrat but campaign on a newly created party line that emphasizes public safety and appeals to centrist voters.

Adams, a former New York Police Department officer and Brooklyn borough president, enters an unusually competitive race to lead the country's largest city .

Mamdani, a democratic socialist who was on track to being declared the official winner of Tuesday's primary, beat former Gov. Andrew Cuomo in a stunning upset.

The winner of the mayoral Democratic primary in the heavily blue New York City has typically rolled to victory against the Republican candidate. But this election cycle could be more competitive than usual.

Republican Curtis Sliwa, who Adams defeated in 2021, and Independent candidate Jim Walden will also be on the general election ballot in November.

Cuomo's future in the race remains unknown. The former governor could re-enter the general election under his separate party line, Fight and Deliver -- but it isn't yet clear if he will want to.

"We're going to be looking at the numbers that come in from the primary, and then we have to look at the landscape in the general election, which is a totally different landscape," Cuomo told CBS News on Wednesday.

Adams made his campaign announcement Thursday on the steps of City Hall, as supporters behind him shouted, "Four more years."

"I told you all from the beginning this was going to be the most interesting political campaign in the history of the city," Adams said at his news conference.

Protesters also gathered to disrupt the event, with two individuals getting close to the mayor and calling him a criminal before being pushed away by security.

"You can call me all the names you want," Adams responded, "but I'm going to answer to only one: Mayor Adams."

Write to Joseph Pisani at joseph.pisani@wsj.com

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

June 26, 2025 14:50 ET (18:50 GMT)

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