NYC Council Speaker Adrienne Adams moves closer to mayoral run: ‘Someone has to be the soul of the city’
Someone needs to be the “soul of the city” — and City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams thinks it could be her.
Adams filed paperwork for a campaign committee in the upcoming mayoral race — but she’ll wait until next week to make a final decision on whether to run, The Post has learned.
The speaker confirmed Thursday during an unrelated news conference that she took steps to advance a campaign in case she decides to make late entry into the race.
“I didn’t seek this, it wasn’t in my plans,” she said, alluding to “stakeholders” who have been pushing her to enter the crowded race.
But Adams then positioned herself for a lofty role: “What I’m thinking is someone has to be the soul of the city.”
The speaker has been urged by some New York Democrats to enter the race amid the collapsing political fortunes of Mayor Eric Adams — and potential comeback of former Gov. Andrew Cuomo as he’s widely expected to run.
Adrienne Adams, no relation to the mayor, likely will make up her mind March 4 after her “State of the City” address, one source said.
Another source said the speaker could go “50-50” on whether to run.
“I’m not ready to announce now, I still have a little bit more thought, a few more discussions to be had,” Adams said Thursday.
If elected, the Queens pol be the first woman and City Council speaker to become mayor of New York City. She’s already the first black woman to serve as council speaker.
Behind-the-scenes, Adams has been calling around to “check the temperature” of council members over the past week.
A mayoral bid by the speaker also has attracted interest among Democrats statewide, especially as many are wary about the return of the brash Cuomo to political power.
New York Attorney General Letitia James, whose probe into sexual harassment accusations against Cuomo spurred his 2021 resignation as governor, has been among the pols pushing Adams to run, sources have told The Post. Cuomo denied the accusations.
Adams said unnamed “stakeholders” approached her to run even before a recent Democratic political conference in Albany in which the Council speaker received an award — and attendees chanted “Run, Adrienne, run.”
She slyly deflected questions about the identities of those mystery supporters.
“There are names that you know, and names that you don’t know,” she said.
The widely rumored late entries of both Adams and Cuomo into the race reflect the widespread dissatisfaction and doubts swirling around the mayor’s leadership.
Hizzoner has seen his already shaky support collapse after President Trump’s Department of Justice ordered Manhattan federal prosecutors to drop their case against him.
The move prompted a mass resignation by federal prosecutors, with Acting US Attorney Danielle Sassoon alleging it arose from an improper “quid pro quo” in which Eric Adams would roll over for Trump’s hardline immigration plans to have his case disappear.
The reputed deal — which Adams’ attorney and DOJ officials denied — prompted fears the mayor is beholden to the president and calls, including from Adrienne Adams, for him to resign.
The speaker on Thursday gain voiced concerns about four deputy mayors dramatically stepping down after Eric Adams’ DOJ reprieve.
“I want to begin by discussing the dire need for leadership right now… the stakes are too high for a diminished mayoral administration,” she said.
Adrienne Adams does face an uphill battle if she decides to run.
She “has no infrastructure” and little campaign cash, with about $200,000 in the bank, two politicos pointed out.
“You essentially need money to help start pumping up your image and brand,” a source said.
And Adams, though a darling among many in the political world, also could face troubles drumming up enthusiasm among actual voters.
A recent poll found she garnered only 2% support among likely Democratic voters.
Cuomo held a commanding 38% lead, followed by state Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani at 12% and Eric Adams at 10%, according to the Tusk Strategies poll.
Still, the prospect of an Adrienne Adams candidacy kindled hope by Councilman Oswald Felix (D-Bronx).
“Adrienne Adams knows how to run government efficiently and effectively, and understands the importance of working with others, which is how problems get resolved,” he said. “I’m excited about having her as a potential option for NYC Mayor.”
