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Mayor Adams begins re-election campaign by attacking Zohran Mamdani on Fox News
By
Elizabeth Kim
Published Jun 25, 2025
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John Lamparski/Getty Images
By
Elizabeth Kim
Published Jun 25, 2025
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Mayor Eric Adams wasted little time jumping into a general election fight with Zohran Mamdani on Wednesday, calling the presumptive Democratic nominee “a snake oil salesman.”
One day after Mamdani’s shocking upset win over former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, Adams took to a friendly forum — “Fox and Friends” — to attack the progressive star grabbing national headlines.
“He’s a snake oil salesman,” Adams said. “He would say and do anything to get elected.”
That represented a change in tone from the mayor, who previously praised Mamdani for his authenticity — at least compared to Cuomo. “I disagree with him, but at least he's not this politician that puts a finger in the air and sees where the wind is blowing,” Adams said two weeks ago.
Adams’ combativeness signals what his campaign has described as the “next phase of the 2025 mayoral race.”
“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 wrote Wednesday night on social media. “We deserve a mayor who will keep driving down crime, support our police, fight antisemitism and stand up for working-class New Yorkers.”
“It’s time to fight,” he added. “We have a city to save.”
Adams is expected to formally launch his re-election campaign on Thursday. Despite being alienated from his party and hitting an all-time low approval rating in March, he has projected confidence as he seeks re-election.
He’s told reporters the race will be unlike any other, and will feature many surprises.
“You guys have not seen the beginning of how many twists and turns this election is going to have,” he said in May. “Y'all having so much fun covering me. Who are you kidding?”
After Mamdani emerged as the victor of the Democratic primary, one of Adams’ senior City Hall advisers, Menashe Shapiro, said on X, “Game on.”
Zohran Mamdani took photos with supporters at his victory party for the Democratic primary.
Elizabeth Kim
Adams has long relished picking battles with progressives. Mamdani, a democratic socialist, has previously called for defunding the police and is critical of Israel and President Donald Trump. He’s embraced tenant-friendly policies that are anathema to the real estate industry.
Adams, a conservative-leaning law-and-order mayor, has sought to cooperate with federal immigration officials and has been a stalwart defender of Israel.
The contest in November could still feature Cuomo, who secured the “Fight and Deliver” independent line.
The former governor said he will decide whether he will run as an independent after the full ranked-choice election results are released next Tuesday.
Adams’ kickoff event will be on the steps of City Hall.
A press release announcing the event said Adams would be joined by “hundreds of friends, supporters, union leaders and business allies.”
Adams said he received a flurry of phone calls from supporters on primary night.
“People understand this moment,” he said.
Asked on WNYC’s “The Brian Lehrer Show” about his arguments against Adams’ re-election, Mamdani said “I have long been running against Eric Adams’ second term.”
He added that he was “excited to share a very contrasting vision.”
Tagged
Politics
Zohran Mamdani
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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