After City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams jumped into the Democratic race for mayor on Wednesday — a late entrant to an already crowded field — she drew a large crowd of supporters at a kickoff rally Saturday in her Queens district.
“I am Adrienne from Queens. And I am running for mayor of the city of New York,” she said.
What You Need To Know
- After City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams jumped into the Democratic race for mayor on Wednesday — a late entrant to an already crowded field — she drew a large crowd of supporters at a kickoff rally Saturday in her Queens district
- An accidental candidate recruited at the last minute, Adrienne Adams appeared excited about a campaign she never thought she’d run
- Her first official campaign rally brought out about a dozen former and current elected officials who want to see this Adams get elected
- Speaker Adams may be the biggest challenger to former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who also recently entered the race
From the center of a mall in Jamaica, Adams is hoping her last-minute candidacy will catch fire.
“I feel great,” she said.
An accidental candidate recruited at the last minute, Adams appeared excited about a campaign she never thought she’d run.
“My administration will advance policy based on their effectiveness in improving people’s lives, not ideology and self interest,” she said.
Her first official campaign rally brought out about a dozen former and current elected officials who want to see this Adams get elected.
“It’s the dream of my life to finally have a woman mayor finally representing the city of New York,” Councilmember Diana Ayala said.
Attendees were also excited at the prospect, but Adams’ challenges are large: she has to raise money quickly and there are big forces in the race she’s up against. Forces she alluded to in her campaign speech.
“I’m not royalty. I am not part of a part of a political dynasty that has been here past, present or future,” she said.
“All I say is southeast Queens is my home. It’s always been my home. And I still live here,” Adams said when asked about the threat she potentially poses to former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who also recently entered the race.
Speaker Adams may be the biggest challenger to the former governor. Her base — Black voters in Queens — overlaps with his.
“We need leaders who will stand up for us because they truly care about us, because they are one of us, because they live in the neighborhoods of New York City with all of us. Not those who will come around us, watch it now, who will exploit us. Keep your eyes open. Keep your eyes open,” Adams said.
After her speech, the speaker was asked what kind of policy positions might differentiate her candidacy from the rest of a very crowded field. She said she would be getting to that in the weeks ahead.