New York City Leadership in Flux with Possible Changes and Special Election Scenario

Potential Changes in New York City Leadership Amidst Uncertainty

New York City is currently facing some interesting developments regarding its political future. If Mayor Eric Adams were to resign or be removed from office by Governor Kathy Hochul, the position would temporarily fall to Public Advocate Jumaane Williams. If this happens before January 2025, a special election to find a new mayor would take place within 80 days, and it is likely that Williams would enter this special election.

According to a source familiar with Williams’ mindset, his primary focus is on the “continuity of government” and making sure that residents have faith in their city’s leadership. Although he is not actively pursuing the mayorship, the source indicated that if given the opportunity to serve as acting mayor and a special election occurred, it would make sense for him to run.

Election Timeline and Terms

Should Williams secure a win in the special election, he would serve as mayor only until the end of 2025. The usual cycle of elections would still proceed, with the Democratic primary planned for June 2025 and the general election in November 2025. The winner of this election would officially take office for a full four-year term beginning in 2026. If Williams does win the special election, it is expected that he would also attempt to run for the full term.

Impact on the Race

Adams’ possible exit could greatly change the landscape of the upcoming mayoral race. Currently, Adams is a conservative Democrat facing low approval ratings, which has encouraged several left-leaning candidates to consider a run. Potential challengers include city Comptroller Brad Lander, former Comptroller Scott Stringer, and state Senators Zellnor Myrie and Jessica Ramos. Additionally, Assembly Member Zohran Mamdani, a self-identified democratic socialist, is also contemplating a mayoral run. However, most of these candidates might be less inclined to run against Williams, who is a progressive and has strong ties to the Working Families Party.

Conversely, if Williams were to assume the acting mayor role, this could open the door for more moderate candidates, such as former Governor Andrew Cuomo, who might aim to capture the votes of those who see Williams as being too far left.

Reactions and Opinions

Ana María Archila, co-director of the Working Families Party, has stated that Williams would be a challenging candidate for anyone to defeat. She mentioned, “We know that people would be in good hands with Jumaane as acting mayor.” If he were to run for the special election, she believes he would indeed be a strong contender.

However, Archila also emphasized the party’s main objective of keeping Cuomo out of political power. She reminded supporters of Cuomo’s resignation amidst scandal, arguing that replacing one scandal-ridden mayor with someone who has a questionable past would not benefit New Yorkers in any way.

On the other hand, Rich Azzopardi, a spokesperson for Cuomo, did not deny the possibility of Cuomo running but expressed skepticism towards the Working Families Party. He stated that speculation about such a campaign is “premature” and criticized the effectiveness of the party in past elections, suggesting their claims are often overblown.

Williams’ Political Background

Jumaane Williams has not been shy about his political ambitions. He has previously run for statewide office, including an unsuccessful bid for lieutenant governor in 2018 and governor in 2022. Prior to being Public Advocate, he served on the City Council representing East Flatbush, Brooklyn, from 2010 to 2019.

This evolving political situation in New York City is likely to lead to an intriguing race for the mayor’s office, whichever direction it ultimately takes.