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Andrew Cuomo And Eric Adams, Two Self-Proclaimed "Progressive Democrats," Show Solidarity On Gun Violence
By
Elizabeth Kim
Published Jul 14, 2021
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Elizabeth Kim / Gothamist
By
Elizabeth Kim
Published Jul 14, 2021
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In a show of unanimity between two of the state’s top Democrats, Governor Andrew Cuomo on Wednesday gave Eric Adams, the next likely mayor of New York City, a strong show of support as he promised to coordinate their efforts to tackle the troubling rise of gun violence and steer the city’s recovery as it comes out of the pandemic.
“What we do in this moment decides the future of the city of New York,” Cuomo told reporters during a joint press conference with Adams held at the Lenox Road Baptist Church in the Flatbush section of Brooklyn.
New York City, the governor said, needs to serve as a model for the rest of the country, and he believes Adams has both “courage and competence” to fulfill the job of mayor.
“I pledge to work in full partnership with him,” he added.
The press event offered a first glimpse of the dynamic between the two powerful politicians whose relationship will be closely watched in the coming months. Cuomo, who has been embroiled in controversy, is expected run for re-election next year and an alliance with a popular incoming mayor that won an overwhelming share of voters in Black and Latino neighborhoods could be helpful to him as he campaigns.
Cuomo, a self-described “Queens boy,” heaped praise on Adams, the Brooklyn borough president who grew up in both Brooklyn and Queens. At one point, the governor jokingly referred to both men as "outer borough boys." But the two politicians are at very different moments in their careers.
Since winning the Democratic nomination with a campaign focused on public safety, Adams has been part of a national conversation about how Democratic lawmakers should balance police reform against a crackdown on gun crimes that have soared in several major U.S. cities, including New York City. On Monday, the former NYPD officer met with President Joe Biden to discuss efforts by the White House to combat gun violence through investment in police departments and community intervention programs.
READ MORE: Eric Adams, Once A Rebel Cop, May Soon Control The NYPD. What Happens Next?
Meanwhile, Cuomo, a three-term governor, has been embattled in recent months. He is facing multiple investigations at the state and federal level that involve sexual misconduct allegations, his handling of nursing homes during the pandemic, and his use of state resources as he pursued a $5 million book deal.
Cuomo began his remarks by touting himself and Adams as progressive Democrats, a label that both men have sought to reclaim as the party has shifted more to the left, led in part by a push to defund the police spurred by the Black Lives Matter movement. Both Cuomo and Adams have been against reducing policing.
“I believe Eric and I come from the same political philosophy,” Cuomo told reporters. “We are progressive Democrats and we have the same definition of what it means to be a progressive Democrat.”
Adams, who frequently invokes his life story of being beaten by police officers and later becoming a harsh internal critic of the NYPD, followed up the governor’s remarks by calling himself “the original progressive.”
“We’ve allowed the term 'being progressive' to be hijacked by those who do not have a track record of putting in place real progressive changes,” he said. “I’m not going to surrender my progressive credentials.”
Adams said he would deploy “not a heavy-handed policing model but a holistic model” that focuses on intervention in low-income communities like mandatory dyslexia screenings in city schools.
In an apparent allusion to Mayor de Blasio’s strained relationship with Cuomo, Adams said, “I’m team New York. I am not going to engage in differences in all the debates.”
During the pandemic, the governor's relationship with de Blasio worsened, with the two sparring over everything from the shutdown of city schools, the pace of the reopening and vaccinations and policing. Cuomo even blamed de Blasio for losing a congressional seat in last November's election, saying that the city had been characterized as a place of “looting, and crime and homelessness.”
Cuomo did not elect to endorse any of the Democratic candidates for mayor, but Adams was among those who declined to accept his support in light of the troubling sexual harassment accusations by women.
Asked about that on Wednesday, Adams said he would wait until the ongoing probe by the state Attorney General was completed. "Let the investigation go to its outcome," he said.
During his own press briefing, Mayor de Blasio was asked about Adams' decision to appear with the governor. He said that "each leader has to make their own decision out of respect." During his remarks, he also called Adams "a really smart, capable...savvy guy, he’s gonna figure out the path that works for him.”
After noting he had the "greatest respect for Eric Adams," he then reiterated his thoughts on Cuomo: “My own choice, I’ve been very clear. Yes, the governor should resign, period.”
READ MORE: Cuomo Declares Gun Violence State Of Emergency
Following his press conference with Adams, the governor met with a group of community leaders and local lawmakers to address the state's plan on gun violence. In response to the increase in shootings, Cuomo last week declared a state of emergency and said he would allocate $139 million in funding across the state toward youth employment, community and mental health services, and violence interrupter programs.
On Wednesday, Cuomo said the state would fund 4,000 summer jobs in New York City. Those positions are on top of the 75,000 the city has already committed to as part of its summer youth employment program.
Additional reporting by Gywnne Hogan.
Tagged
eric adams
andrew cuomo
gun violence
Elizabeth Kim
Elizabeth Kim is a reporter on the People and Power desk who covers mayoral power. She previously covered the pandemic, housing, redevelopment and public spaces. A native of Queens, she speaks fluent Mandarin. Got a tip? Email [email protected]
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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