Leading New York City is the “second toughest job in America,” as former Mayor John Lindsay famously said — yet Eric Adams is not alone in wanting the gig.
A crowded field of candidates want to capitalize on the scandal-plagued incumbent mayor’s rock-bottom popularity and make the move to Gracie Mansion.
The nine top Democratic candidates held a rowdy first debate June 5, in which most of them gleefully piled onto frontrunner former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who responded with barbs of his own and conspicuous dodges.
A second Dem debate Thursday will feature seven candidates angling for a rematch, among them Cuomo and Zohran Mamdani, a Democratic Socialist who keeps gaining momentum in what increasingly looks like a two-person race.
The debate may be the last big chance for the Democratic candidates to distinguish themselves in the upcoming June 24 primary, where the ranked-choice winner will challenge the newly independent Adams, Republican Curtis Sliwa and another independent candidate, Jim Walden.
But even that potential four-person race is in flux, as political rumors abound that some heavyweight Democratic candidates may try to mount November election bids on another party line if they lose the primary.
Here’s a look at the major mayoral hopefuls by party affiliation.
DEMOCRAT
Andrew Cuomo
Former Gov. Andrew Cuomo is trying to make his political comeback by becoming New York City’s next mayor.
The pugnacious Cuomo, 67, is the frontrunner in the crowded primary race, drawing scores of endorsements despite his string of scandals — including the sexual harassment claims that toppled his governorship and criticism over his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The thrice-elected Democrat’s campaign has hinged heavily on a “Rose Garden” strategy — opting for polished and low-key appearances rather than old-school forums with his fellow candidates.
The conservative-leaning political scion largely swatted off attacks from his fellow mayoral hopefuls during last week’s debate, but time will tell if he can repeat the feat.
Zohran Mamdani
Democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani has been the talk of the town since pulling off a historic grassroots fundraising and canvassing effort.
His campaign — which has zeroed in on young, white, ultra-left New Yorkers — brought the 33-year-old Queens Assemblyman’s bid for mayor from a long-shot bid to Cuomo’s biggest threat.
Mamdani, 33, has been slammed for his refusal to acknowledge Israel having a right to exist as a Jewish state and his involvement in the “BDS” movement, which seeks to divert US funding to Israel. He’s also raised eyebrows with his pie in the sky policy proposals, such as city-owned grocery stores and free bus service — that would cost taxpayers some $10 billion.
Born in Uganda and raised in the Upper West Side, Mamdani has served New York state as a lawmaker since 2020. He’s received major endorsements from the Working Families Party, tenant orgs and fellow progressive lawmakers.
Brad Lander
City Comptroller Brad Lander has centered his campaign on showcasing his long record of progressive policies and bashing Cuomo.
The career lefty has consistently polled third behind Mamdani, and his campaign is still a hopeful one.
Originally from Missouri, now-Brooklynite Lander has been on the New York political scene since 2009. He’s snagged a major endorsement from influential players like the Working Families Party and United Auto Workers.
As one of only two Jewish candidates in the running, Lander, 55, has struggled to resonate with either side of the Israel-Palestinian conflict due to a more center-left stance.
Adrienne Adams
The City Council’s speaker – and no-relation foe to the mayor – entered the Democratic primary at the 11th hour as many poohbahs grew worried about former Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s candidacy.
Adrienne Adams, 64, snagged the endorsement of Cuomo foe Letitia James, the state’s attorney general, as she pitched a record of competent, drama-free public service from her council position.
A progressive Democrat from South Jamaica, Queens, she is the first black councilperson to be elected speaker.
Politicos reckon she could be the candidate with the best shot at pulling black New Yorkers away from Cuomo, who is polling in first place among that demographic group.
Scott Stringer
A fixture in New York City’s political scene, Scott Stringer — who served two terms as the city comptroller until 2021 — is on his second run for mayor.
The Manhattan Democrat has taken a slightly more moderate stance this time around — shifting from some of his left-leaning policies at recent forums.
Stringer, 65, is known to do well with the wealthier crowd — and has collected endorsements from Congressman Jerry Nadler, the West Side Democrats and more.
Zellnor Myrie
Brooklyn State Sen. Zellnor Myrie was an early entrant in the race for the city’s highest office.
A progressive from Brooklyn, Myrie, 38, has run a relatively low-key campaign centered on consistent public forums, ads and Cuomo-bashing.
Myrie — who has served his Crown Heights district, where he was born and raised, since 2018 — has a few more moderate policy ideas around real estate and policing than his fellow liberal peers.
He’s been endorsed by the Working Families Party, along with some prominent politicians.
Jessica Ramos
Pro-labor progressive state Sen. Jessica Ramos has snagged some impressive endorsements but hasn’t been able to translate them into campaign finances.
Born and raised in Elmhurst, Queens, Ramos, 39, has been another outspoken voice for the lefty agenda in the mayoral race.
She has served in the state senate representing parts of Queens since 2019 after she defeated the now-late senator Jose Peralta, who was part of the defunct Independent Democratic Conference that teamed up with Republicans to pass legislation.
Due to missing key fundraising requirements, Ramos will not be joining the leading candidates debate on June 12.
She also made the shocking recent move to endorse Cuomo, whom she once compared to a bumbling Joe Biden.
Michael Blake
The Rev. Michael Blake is a former aide to ex-president Barack Obama who described himself as a “visionary moderate leader with progressive policy leanings.”
Blake — who served in the state Assembly from 2015 to 2021, before switching over to political consultancy — is known for his sharp tongue and centrist policies.
The South Bronx reverend, 42, joined the race last fall by ripping Adams for allegedly cozying up to “incoming fascist president” Donald Trump.
Along with Ramos, he also did not meet fundraising requirements for the second debate. But he did make an impression during the first go-around, memorably dinging Cuomo.
“The people who don’t feel safe are young women, mothers and grandmothers around Andrew Cuomo,” he said, alluding to the former governor’s sexual harassment scandal.
Whitney Tilson
Whitney Tilson hails from the world of hedge funds and finance — and notably has only been formally endorsed by mega-financier Bill Ackman.
Tilson, 58, is a conservative Democrat who warns of the far left in his ad campaigns, which bash Mamdani and his socialist supporters.
A Harvard-educated former fund manager from Connecticut, Tilson brands himself as the antithesis to the career pols running against him.
INDEPENDENT
Jim Walden
Centrist Jim Walden will be directly taking on Adams in the independent category of the ballot in November.
Walden, 59, made a name for himself as a big-time attorney who now brands himself as the “apolitical” candidate in the mayoral race.
He rose to prominence prosecuting mobsters — and he’s even repped Cuomo during legal troubles — though he has yet to gain any substantial ground in this race.
REPUBLICAN
Curtis Sliwa
The boisterous, red beret-wearing Curtis Sliwa is running solo on the Republican ticket for mayor.
The radio host and crime-fighting activist, 71, told The Post he thinks he has a real shot at the mayoralty this year due to the fractured nature of the Democratic party.
Though a dedicated member of the GOP, the Guardian Angels founder has consistently distanced himself from the Trump administration since entering the political ring.
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