NEW YORK — In four years, New York City will never be the same — that was Eric Adams’s promise to New Yorkers on Election Night. He will become the second Black mayor in New York City history.

"Tonight, New York has chosen one of you," Adams said to supporters at his victory speech.

With a centrist message crafted around public safety, Adams won a competitive Democratic primary in June and now the general election against Republican Curtis Sliwa.

“This campaign was for the underserved, the marginalized, the abandoned [who] have been betrayed by their government," Adams said.

On the stage with Adams was Gov. Kathy Hochul, who promised to be an ally of the incoming mayor. Hochul will need his help next year, when she runs for her position in a Democratic primary next June that’s expected to be crowded.

It was a long road for Adams to get to Gracie Mansion. A former transit police officer and NYPD captain, Adams was elected to the state Senate in 2006. After four terms in Albany, he became Brooklyn borough president in 2014. His goal was always to get to City Hall.

“This is your victory and I will carry your cause to City Hall," Adams said Tuesday night.

Adams will have to lead the city out of the long COVID-19 pandemic and deal with difficult issues like housing, homelessness, crime and a crisis on Rikers Island.

"Tonight we are going to take the turn and take our city in a new direction," the Democrat said.

Later this week, Adams is expected to attend the Somos conference in Puerto Rico. From there, he will be visit the Dominican Republic before coming back to New York.

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