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Joined by aides raided by FBI, Mayor Adams launches re-election bid
By
Elizabeth Kim
Published Jun 26, 2025
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Elizabeth Kim
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Elizabeth Kim
Published Jun 26, 2025
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Mayor Eric Adams on Thursday reunited with at least two close aides who faced federal investigation over their roles in his 2021 campaign as he delivered a fiery speech formally launching his re-election bid as an independent.
Brianna Suggs and Winne Greco, two aides whose homes were searched by federal investigators, were among the more than 100 supporters who attended the rally on the steps of City Hall. Neither has been charged with any crimes.
Also at the rally was former state Sen. Malcolm Smith, a Democrat who served seven years in prison for trying to bribe his way onto the Republican line for mayor in 2013. Hecklers taunted Adams over his now-dismissed corruption charges, as well as the case against Luigi Mangione, adding to the surreal scene.
"This is going to be the most interesting political campaign in the history of New York City," Adams said. "They have a record on tweets. I have a record on the streets."
“Where’s your cellphone?” a heckler shouted at the mayor at one point, referring to when FBI agents seized Adams’ electronics.
Adams said about people trying to disrupt his remarks: “Notice how we utilize the letter ‘F’ for faith. Our opponents use the letter ‘F’ for profanity."
"We need to stay focused, no distractions and grind,” Adams said, starting a chant.
Adams’ political fortunes seemed dim last year after he was accused of accepting bribes from Turkish officials and illegal foreign donations to his 2021 campaign. But in April a judge granted a request from President Donald Trump's Department of Justice to dismiss the case against Adams, writing that “Everything here smacks of a bargain: dismissal of the Indictment in exchange for immigration policy concessions.” Adams has cozied up to Trump — but now his centrist law-and-order politics could appeal to some voters wary of the presumptive Democratic mayoral candidate, Zohran Mamdani.
But Adams’ corruption scandal is likely to loom over his re-election bid.
In his speech, Adams referred to Mamdani as a “Twitter politician” born with “a silver spoon.”
“There's no dignity giving you everything for free,” Adams said, referencing Mamdani’s plans for free buses and government-owned grocery stores. “This is not a city of handouts.”
Suggs, who previously served as Adams’ top fundraiser for his first mayoral run, has remained employed by his 2025 campaign. To date, she has been paid more than $460,000, according to campaign finance filings.
On Thursday, she was seen giving directions to supporters and telling them where to stand.
Greco, who also served as an Adams fundraiser, helped Adams’ campaign draw people to the rally, according to the Daily News. She resigned last fall as a senior adviser at City Hall after two homes she owned were reportedly raided by the FBI.
Asked if she was working on the campaign, Greco said, “I’m working for my community.”
The rally’s featured speakers included Fernando Cabrera, a senior adviser to Adams who had a history of making anti-gay statements.
On Thursday, Gothamist reported that Adams’ campaign hired a consultant accused of assaulting his girlfriend.
Todd Shapiro, a campaign spokesman, said the mayor was not involved in the guest list for Thursday’s event.
Asked about individuals with questionable histories, he said Adams has friendships that go back decades. “You’re not going to tell them not to come to the campaign,” he said.
Adams touted his record of reducing crime, producing affordable housing and helping the city’s economy recover from the pandemic.
Mamdani responded by accusing Adams of worsening the city’s affordability crisis and partnering with Trump on immigration.
“I have run on a promise to end this era of corruption, incompetence and the betrayal of working-class New Yorkers,” he said in a statement. “Just as voters made clear on Tuesday, they will do so again in November — choosing a city they can afford and bringing an end to the politics, and politicians, of the past.”
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Politics
new york city
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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