Latest news with #Safe&Affordable
Yahoo
a day ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Faced with choosing, NYC Mayor Adams nods toward running on ‘Safe and Affordable' ballot line
Mayor Adams appears to be leaning toward selecting 'Safe&Affordable' as his ballot line in November's election as opposed to 'EndAntiSemitism' after New York City's elections board told him late Tuesday he must soon pick one of them. Still, Adams — who has made support for Israel and fighting antisemitism key focuses of his reelection bid — vowed Wednesday to mount a legal challenge to be able to run on both lines. It's unclear if there's enough though time for him to mount such a court case. In a letter sent to Adams late Tuesday, a copy of which was obtained by the Daily News, the BOE wrote he needs to 'inform this Board in writing within five business days of the date of this letter of your choice as to which row or column you wish to have.' If Adams doesn't make a pick by that deadline, Vincent Ignizio, the board's deputy executive director, told The News the panel 'will select for him.' In response, Adams campaign spokesman Todd Shapiro said in a statement Wednesday the mayor 'intends to pursue legal options' to still try and appear on both lines. While he didn't say it outright, Shapiro's statement also suggested 'Safe&Affordable' is Adams' likely selection if it turns out he has to select one. 'At the same time, voters can be confident that Mayor Adams will appear on the Safe and Affordable ballot line in all five boroughs — ensuring millions of New Yorkers will have their voices heard at the polls,' the statement said. The Board of Elections has for months told Adams to select a single ballot line, maintaining that state law holds independent candidates can only run on one. In response, Adams has for months said he would challenge that determination in court. He has yet to file any court case, though. Adams, who's facing an uphill climb in the mayoral election running as an independent candidate, collected enough petition signatures to qualify for both lines. Still reeling from political fallout over his federal corruption indictment, Adams' reelection effort is seen as a long shot. He's polling far behind Democratic mayoral nominee Zohran Mamdani, the favorite to win November's election. Solve the daily Crossword
25-06-2025
- Politics
Zohran Mamdani claimed victory over Cuomo. His next obstacle: Eric Adams, the Republicans and more
NEW YORK -- Zohran Mamdani has claimed victory over a wounded, but still formidable former Gov. Andrew Cuomo in New York City's Democratic mayoral primary. Now he faces an equally tough task: Defeating Mayor Eric Adams and a Republican opponent — and maybe even Cuomo again — in the general election, while fending off critics who argue the 33-year-old democratic socialist is too far to the left. While the results have yet to be finalized, Mamdani had a commanding lead that will be exceedingly difficult for Cuomo to overcome when the vote count resumes July 1 in New York City's ranked choice voting system. Mamdani's likely win was a political lightning bolt — partly because of the stunning upset of New York's once all-powerful former governor, but also for the signals it sent about what kind of leader Democrats are gravitating toward following the party's bruising loss to Republican President Donald Trump last year. But Mamdani still has a ways to go. In a normal New York City election year, the winner of the Democratic primary might be all but assured to sail through the general election and become the next mayor. But this is not a normal election year. Incumbent Mayor Eric Adams, who is a Democrat, pulled out of the primary to instead run as an independent in the general election, a decision he made after it was clear the public uproar over his now-dismissed federal corruption case had severely damaged his chances of winning the party's nomination. Adams had not done much campaigning, but now appears eager to take on Mamdani, who is still relatively new to politics, having served in the state Assembly only since 2021. 'What NYC deserves is a mayor who's proud to run on his record — not one who ran from his record, or one who has no record," Adams said in a statement. 'We deserve a mayor who will keep driving down crime, support our police, fight antisemitism, and stand up for working-class New Yorkers.' At the same time, Cuomo appears down but might not yet be out. The former governor could also run in the general election on an independent ballot line and said he was still assessing his options, even after conceding the primary race to Mamdani. Both Cuomo and Adams are guaranteed spots on the general election ballot because of the state's generous qualification rules for third parties. Jim Walden, a former prosecutor, is also running as an independent. Adams created two of his own political parties, one called 'EndAntiSemitism' the other called 'Safe&Affordable,' to get a spot on the ballot. Cuomo created one called the 'Fight and Deliver' party to give himself the option of running. 'I want to look at all the numbers as they come in and analyze the rank choice voting. I will then consult with my colleagues on what is the best path for me to help the City of New York as I have already qualified to run for mayor on an independent line in November,' Cuomo said in a statement. Heading toward the fall, Mamdani is also sure to face a renewed wave of criticism from the city's business and real estate communities, which have opposed his plans to hike taxes on the wealthy and poured money into Cuomo's political action committees. Republicans, too, have begun to pile on Mamdani, perhaps seeing a potential upset in the cards if the city's more conservative voters turn out to oppose him in November. Mamdani thrilled liberal voters with a campaign focused on lowering the high cost of living, but he would be the most left-leaning mayor in generations. He is pro-immigrant, a champion of Palestinian rights, and has proposed socialist-style programs including government-owned grocery stores. The Republican mayoral candidate, Curtis Sliwa, called Mamdani 'too extreme for a city already on edge.' 'This is not the time for radical politics. It is time for real leadership,' Sliwa, the red beret wearing founder of the Guardian Angels, wrote on X.
Yahoo
18-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Eric Adams vows to sue election board over independent run
NEW YORK — New York City candidates running as independents can only appear on one ballot line. Mayor Eric Adams wants to sue over that — a self-serving move to boost his visibility as he launches a longshot bid to retain his mayoralty. Adams suggested on Tuesday he plans to take action against the New York City Board of Elections over ballot access, potentially opening another legal front in his reelection bid. Speaking at an unrelated press briefing in City Hall, the mayor blasted the board's decision to limit him to one independent ballot line in the general election — a determination based on state law. 'I think that's unfair,' Adams said. 'I think the rules for everyone should be the same, and so our legal team is now looking at that to determine if it's constitutionally sound.' Adams dropped out of the Democratic primary while still under the cloud of his now-defunct criminal bribery case, which was tossed at the behest of President Donald Trump's Department of Justice. He'll run as an independent in the November general election and wants to appear on two ballot lines of his own creation: EndAntiSemitism and Safe&Affordable. Candidates who earn the nomination of major parties can also run on an independent ballot line, which Adams — a registered Democrat — is now calling unfair. Last week, Adams' campaign spokesperson told The New York Times the team was exploring its legal options. The mayor's comments Tuesday solidified his opposition to the decision. 'I don't think running for a general election should be tilted towards the primary lines in the city,' Adams said Tuesday. Any potential legal action against the board would be the second lawsuit Adams is filing in his longshot reelection bid. As POLITICO first reported, Adams sued the Campaign Finance Board last month, accusing the organization of improperly denying him millions of dollars in public matching funds. With his EndAntiSemitism ballot line, Adams has made clear that appealing to Jewish voters will be a key part of his campaign — a tactic shared by mayoral frontrunner Andrew Cuomo. Over the weekend, however, Adams sat down for a more than hourlong interview with Sneako, a streaming personality who has made comments widely considered antisemitic. On Saturday, a day before he sat down with Adams over cigars at Gracie Mansion, Sneako penned a social media post saying 'Israel is not compatible with Western civilization.' Adams said he was unaware of Sneako's prior comments. He said the content creator was at the official mayoral residence because he came along with conservative television personality Amber Rose, whom Adams had invited to meet his son. Sneako then asked to interview Adams on the spot. 'I didn't know him before that, and my son was excited to meet Amber Rose and engage in a conversation with her,' Adams said. 'And that was how all that came about.' Adams also defended his record with the New York Jewish community and said he does not share Sneako's views.
Politico
17-06-2025
- Politics
- Politico
Eric Adams vows to sue election board over independent run
NEW YORK — New York City candidates running as independents can only appear on one ballot line. Mayor Eric Adams wants to sue over that — a self-serving move to boost his visibility as he launches a longshot bid to retain his mayoralty. Adams suggested on Tuesday he plans to take action against the New York City Board of Elections over ballot access, potentially opening another legal front in his reelection bid. Speaking at an unrelated press briefing in City Hall, the mayor blasted the board's decision to limit him to one independent ballot line in the general election — a determination based on state law. 'I think that's unfair,' Adams said. 'I think the rules for everyone should be the same, and so our legal team is now looking at that to determine if it's constitutionally sound.' Adams dropped out of the Democratic primary while still under the cloud of his now-defunct criminal bribery case, which was tossed at the behest of President Donald Trump's Department of Justice. He'll run as an independent in the November general election and wants to appear on two ballot lines of his own creation: EndAntiSemitism and Safe&Affordable. Candidates who earn the nomination of major parties can also run on an independent ballot line, which Adams — a registered Democrat — is now calling unfair. Last week, Adams' campaign spokesperson told The New York Times the team was exploring its legal options. The mayor's comments Tuesday solidified his opposition to the decision. 'I don't think running for a general election should be tilted towards the primary lines in the city,' Adams said Tuesday. Any potential legal action against the board would be the second lawsuit Adams is filing in his longshot reelection bid. As POLITICO first reported, Adams sued the Campaign Finance Board last month, accusing the organization of improperly denying him millions of dollars in public matching funds. With his EndAntiSemitism ballot line, Adams has made clear that appealing to Jewish voters will be a key part of his campaign — a tactic shared by mayoral frontrunner Andrew Cuomo. Over the weekend, however, Adams sat down for a more than hourlong interview with Sneako, a streaming personality who has made comments widely considered antisemitic. On Saturday, a day before he sat down with Adams over cigars at Gracie Mansion, Sneako penned a social media post saying 'Israel is not compatible with Western civilization.' Adams said he was unaware of Sneako's prior comments. He said the content creator was at the official mayoral residence because he came along with conservative television personality Amber Rose, whom Adams had invited to meet his son. Sneako then asked to interview Adams on the spot. 'I didn't know him before that, and my son was excited to meet Amber Rose and engage in a conversation with her,' Adams said. 'And that was how all that came about.' Adams also defended his record with the New York Jewish community and said he does not share Sneako's views.
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Adams considering running on second ballot line meant to boost his support for NYC Jews
Mayor Eric Adams is considering running on a second independent line meant to boost his support for the Jewish community in his long-shot bid to clinch reelection this fall, his campaign said Tuesday. Hizzoner, who revealed earlier this month he was bypassing this June's crowded Democratic primary, could potentially run on the 'EndAntiSemitism' ballot line to complement the 'Safe&Affordable' third-party line he's also collecting signatures for. Adams was asked by Jewish leaders to run on the additional line, but has yet to commit, his campaign said. A version of the 'Safe&Affordable' line was unveiled earlier this month, with Adams arguing that low crime and affordability are two important issues he delivered on for New Yorkers. The Brooklyn pol has been a staunch ally of the Big Apple's Jewish community and has particularly strong support among Orthodox Jews. He's also consistently backed Israel's military campaign against Hamas in Gaza following the Palestinian terror group's Oct. 7, 2023, attack on the Jewish state. 'Mayor Adams has stood up to antisemitism and been a friend to the Jewish people,' a source told The Post. The campaign maneuver could steal thunder from frontrunner mayoral candidate Andrew Cuomo if the ex-governor wins the Democratic primary — while possibly helping GOP candidate Curtis Sliwa and a potential Working Families Party candidate this November. Cuomo is also attempting to position himself as the candidate most capable of combating hate against city Jews – a trend that has disturbingly spiked since the war in Gaza started. A Cuomo campaign spokesperson on Tuesday burnished the ex-governor's record of standing up for the Jewish community, including passing tough hate crime laws and prohibiting state agencies from doing business with companies that support the boycott, divestment and sanctions movement against Israel during his tenure in office. 'New Yorkers are smart and they know Andrew Cuomo has the record and the experience to best fight this rise of antisemitic hate that has gripped this city,' the spokesperson said in a statement to The Post. Politico first reported the 'EndAntiSemitism' line Tuesday evening. Adams has struggled in polling after he was indicted last year on federal corruption charges under the Biden administration. He then faced more heat this year when allegations emerged that President Trump's Department of Justice moved to toss the federal charges in exchange for the mayor's help in cracking down on illegal immigration in the Big Apple. Adams and Trump officials have denied that there was any quid pro quo. The case against Adams was dismissed for good by a judge on April 2, leaving him free to turn his attention to charting out a path for reelection, however narrow it might be. He revealed the next day he was forgoing the Democratic primary because the 'bogus case' against him dragged on for too long, making it 'impossible' to mount a viable campaign ahead of the June 24 election.
