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“This Is A Guy Who Feels It”: Bill de Blasio Officially Backs Eric Adams In Mayoral Bid
By
Gwynne Hogan
Published Aug 2, 2021
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Gwynne Hogan
By
Gwynne Hogan
Published Aug 2, 2021
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Mayor Bill de Blasio officially endorsed Democratic nominee Eric Adams in a campaign rally outside of City Hall on Monday morning, surrounded by union laborers, a gaggle of early Adams supporters, as well as new members of the city’s Congressional delegation who’d previously backed other candidates.
“I’ve seen the way he understands the lives of our people, and he feels deeply,” de Blasio said; he had been quietly supporting Adams from the sidelines leading up to the primary. “This is a guy who feels it, who knows it, who’s gonna do something about it. I’m here to endorse Eric Adams because I believe in him.”
Congresswoman Grace Meng, who had previously supported Andrew Yang in the primary, and Congressman Jerry Nadler who’d backed Scott Stringer, also threw their support behind Adams. But there were some notable absences, suggesting ongoing friction between Adams and more left-leaning factions of the Democratic Party—members of Brooklyn’s Congressional delegation who’d backed more left-leaning candidate Maya Wiley, were notably absent; including Congresswoman Nydia Velazquez, Hakeem Jeffries and Yvette Clarke.
Read More: The Low-Key Matriarch Cultivating Brooklyn’s Progressive Movement
In the weeks since his primary win last month, Adams had come out swinging against the leftmost wing of the Democratic party, both publicly on "Real Time With Bill Maher” as well as behind closed doors at a fundraiser hosted by Republican Councilmember Eric Ulrich, where he pledged to run against the movement of “DSA socialists,” the New York Post reported.
Congresswoman Velazquez, who’s a firm ally of the progressive left, had reportedly cautioned Adams at a recent meeting in D.C. about openly critiquing members of the state’s Democratic delegation. Meanwhile, Adams has made an effort to reclaim the "progressive" mantle, though his positions on issues like police funding, tenants rights, and charter schools, make more left-leaning factions of the party bristle.
"I know a progressive when I see one and that is Eric Adams, he's progressive on all the right issues," Councilmember Ben Kallos said at the rally on Monday, while Adams chuckled, as he attempted to further bury the hatchet.
“Families squabble. They argue. They debate. We’re supposed to do that. Don’t let people think that because we debate and argue that we’re not still family,” Adams said. “It is a way of coming together, hearing the various voices of this amazing Democratic party.”
Later, asked about the absence of certain members of Congress, Adams said more supporters would line up in due time.
“We will be seeing the Democratic congressional delegation, they will be rolling out,” he said. “There will be some follow up.”
Mayor Bill de Blasio endorsed Eric Adams on August 2nd.
Even without them, Adams was in his element on Monday morning, grinning from ear to ear in his signature aviators, as he reiterated his message of advocating for New York City’s working class. Adams will face off against Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa in November.
“This is not going to be my hang out spot,” Adams said, gesturing at City Hall towering behind him. Adams promised to open satellite City Halls in every borough to be more easily accessible to New Yorkers there. He also previously stated he may split his time between his home in Brooklyn and Gracie Mansion.
“To all those highfalutin folks that come to this city. You want to see me get on a ferry and come to Staten Island and patronize the restaurants. You want to visit me, come to South Jamaica Queens and patronize the stores that are there,” he said. “This is not a Manhattan-only city, this is an outer-borough city.”
Tagged
election 2021
bill de blasio
eric adams
Gwynne Hogan
Gwynne Hogan is a former Gothamist reporter.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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