New York City mayoral candidates address National Action Network forum amid Eric Adams twist
NEW YORK (WABC) -- Mayor Eric Adams announced Thursday he will run for reelection as an independent and will forego what has become a crowded field for the Democratic primary -- and instead head straight to the general election in November.
Thursday was the deadline for Adams to get his name on the Democratic primary ballot in June. It comes one day after the corruption case against him was dropped -- giving him more time to campaign and try to raise money.
Several other candidates took part in a forum for Rev. Al Sharpton's National Action Network on Thursday.
Former Gov. Andrew Cuomo did not hold back when he was asked specifically whether he was prepared to stand up to President Trump.
"I think the existential threat for New York and for this country is Donald Trump, I don't think you can fight him hard enough," Cuomo said.
Cuomo insisted the city's values are being threatened and its funding is at risk.
"I think that is going to be Job One, you know, if President Trump tries to bully you," Cuomo said. "That's that's his main approach. And when President Trump puts his finger in your chest, the worst thing you can do is step backwards."
One day after his federal indictment was dismissed, Mayor Adams announced he will run as an independent.
"The dismissal of the bogus case against me dragged on too long, making it impossible to mount a primary campaign while these false accusations were held over me," Adams said.
Adams says he can win-because John Lindsay did it, back in the 1960s.
"He's no John Lindsay," said former comptroller Scott Stringer.
Current comptroller Brad Lander predicts that Adams will not be a factor in the race.
"This is sadly someone who's sold the city out, has sold it out again to Donald Trump is now tripling down," Lander said. "We need a mayor who works for the people of New York City and not for Donald Trump."
The mayor sidestepped Rev. Sharpton's question about President Trump while listing his accomplishments and the historic post-pandemic reduction in crime.
"I'm going to fight any White House that is not going to benefit our city, including the previous one that cost us $7 billion for dealing the migrant and asylum seeker crisis that never should have came on our back," Adams said.
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