New York City Mayoral Candidates: Who Could Run in 2025

As Mayor Eric Adams increasingly faces controversy, investigations and criticism, more potential challengers are eyeing an opportunity to run for mayor in 2025, reports Cityandstateny.

Adams has already raised more than $2 million in campaign funds and has strong support from union leaders, making it difficult to beat him. But an extensive federal investigation into his 2021 reelection campaign and his relationships with the Turkish government has caught the attention of the mayor's critics, who agree on one thing: the mayor needs to be challenged, and the only question is who will do it.

Potential challengers are preparing to directly challenge the mayor, with some indicating they would be willing to enter the race if Adams declines to seek re-election.

Diana Ayala

New York City Council Deputy Speaker Diana Ayala said she is in “very preliminary talks” about running for mayor in 2025. Although she is considering running, she wants voters to have options.

“I don't think I should be the only one running. This is an invitation to others,” she said. “This is what democracy is all about.” If not now, then when?" She said last month that “we have never had a woman or a Hispanic mayor, and we obviously need to explore our options given the current political structure.”

Ayala confirmed that she is currently thinking about running, but has not yet made a final decision.

Zelnor Mairi

State Sen. Zelnor Myrie is considering running against Adams in 2025. “I want to be part of the conversation and solutions to some of our most pressing problems,” the senator said. Myrie has made a $1 million commitment in case he decides to run.

Jessica Ramos

State Sen. Jessica Ramos is one of the candidates who could challenge Adams in the upcoming election. Ramos has been outspoken in his criticism of Adams, especially regarding his handling of the migrant crisis. At an informal dinner over the summer, representatives of progressive groups discussed her as a potential challenger to Adams' post.

Ramos, who chairs the state Senate Labor Committee, has already announced she will run for re-election to the state Senate in 2024, but she has not said what she will do in 2025. On the day the FBI conducted search of Brianna Suggs' home, who has been fundraising for Adams, Ramos said someone should run against Adams. “Hopefully we'll find out who it is soon,” she said.

Ramos left open the possibility of Adams' candidacy. “I think New Yorkers deserve an honest debate about how the city is being mismanaged and how our tax dollars are being mismanaged,” she said. “Whether I will participate in this debate or another qualified and prepared candidate, it is too early to say.”

Antonio Reynoso

Adams' successor as Brooklyn president, Antonio Reynoso, is another figure often discussed as a potential rival to the mayor. He was attending an informal dinner with members of the Working Families Party and other progressive organizations who were looking for someone to challenge Adams.

Whenever he was publicly asked about the possibility of running for mayor, he turned the conversation to his current job as borough president. He said he had no intention of challenging Adams: "I was elected president of Brooklyn, it's a big borough, and I have a big job."

On the subject: Brooklyn president criticized Adams and figured out how to solve the immigration crisis

Asked whether he would run in 2025, Reynoso again declined to answer. “Brooklyn residents face real challenges as our city grapples with significant budget cuts to essential services,” Reynoso said in a written statement. “Given this reality, I am committed to ensuring Borough Hall does everything we can to meet the needs of residents and ensure we emerge from this challenging period stronger and more resilient.” I am honored and privileged to serve as Brooklyn’s President and look forward to continuing to work to create a Brooklyn that is open and accessible to all its residents.”

Brad Lander

New York City Comptroller Brad Lander launched his re-election campaign earlier this year, although he is still being discussed as a potential challenger to Adams. A hypothetical poll conducted in May projected Adams to beat Lander 48 percent to 17 percent in a possible fight. However, a lot has changed in the past seven months.

Lander has not commented on whether he plans to fight Adams, but he has been vocal in his criticism of the mayor and has spoken publicly about the problems facing the city. Lander traveled to Washington this week to meet with White House officials to discuss seeking federal support to combat the migrant crisis.

If Adams resigns, Lander could win the special election because he has millions raised for the campaign. Since news of the federal investigation broke, “Brad has been approached every day by voters on the streets and community leaders asking him to run for mayor.”

Scott Stringer

The former comptroller is considering a run for mayor in 2025. Stringer served as comptroller from 2013 to 2020, experience that could come in handy for the city amid recent financial troubles and budget cuts. He previously ran for mayor in 2021, but his campaign was derailed by sexual harassment allegations.

Stringer has been talking with Democratic strategists and potential donors to determine the feasibility of challenging Adams in the 2025 primary, sources said. Stringer said he has no plans to run for office “at this time,” but did not completely rule out a 2025 campaign.

Andrew Cuomo

Former Gov. Andrew Cuomo had a chaotic path to resignation marred by allegations of sexual harassment and a scandal involving the alleged underreporting of COVID deaths in nursing homes. But there are indications that Cuomo may return to government service. Could running for mayor be his ticket back?

In an interview on “Good Day New York,” the former governor declined to discuss the possibility of running for mayor if Adams is removed from office or resigns. Cuomo said he is “not in the business of hypotheses” and that it would be “a shame to suggest that the mayor is in that situation.”

On the subject: Andrew Cuomo is considering running for mayor of New York

Rich Azzopardi, a spokesman for the former governor, said that “the future is the future, and he often receives questions like this, which I think are due to the fact that many people have faced a crisis of trust in government at many levels and are now considering the circumstances under which he left his post as a political game.”