Eric Adams, who himself won on a Democratic ticket in the 2021 snap elections, is running as an independent.
Zohran Mamdani has clinched the Democratic nomination for the upcoming New York City mayoral election, setting the stage for a high-profile face-off with incumbent Mayor Eric Adams this November.
Mamdani, a state assemblyman known for his progressive politics, defeated former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo in Tuesday’s primary. If elected, Mamdani would make history as New York City’s first Muslim and first South Asian mayor. The city, a longtime Democratic stronghold, could see a major political shift if Mamdani prevails.
In the general election, Mamdani will face off against Adams—who is now running as an independent—and Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa.
Adams, who won the 2021 snap mayoral election as a Democrat, switched to an independent bid after seeing declining support in the Democratic primary, partly due to an ongoing federal indictment. While Mamdani identifies as a Democratic Socialist, Adams is widely viewed as a centrist.
Who Is Eric Adams?
Eric Adams, Mamdani’s chief rival, was born in Brooklyn’s Brownsville neighborhood on September 1, 1960. One of six children, he grew up in poverty and had a troubled youth, including an arrest for trespassing at age 14.
Despite his early challenges, Adams turned his life around by joining the New York Police Department, where he served for 22 years. During his police career, Adams was an outspoken advocate for reform. In the 1990s, he led the Grand Council of Guardians, a group representing Black officers, and in 1995 co-founded “100 Blacks in Law Enforcement Who Care,” a group focused on criminal justice reform.
After retiring from the NYPD as a captain in 2006, Adams entered politics. He ran unsuccessfully for Congress in 1994 but won a seat in the New York State Senate in 2006. In 2013, he became Brooklyn Borough President, serving two terms until 2021.
Adams was elected mayor in 2022. However, as he now seeks re-election in 2025 as an independent, he faces a tough challenge from both his left and right, with Mamdani energized by progressive voters and Sliwa aiming to capture conservative support.
The November race is shaping up to be a defining moment in New York City’s political future.
