Mayor Eric Adams abruptly withdrew from a crucial mayoral candidates’ forum that one of the city’s most influential labor unions is hosting Wednesday night, a representative for the union confirmed to amNewYork Metro.
Hizzoner bailed on the event, hosted by District Council 37, just hours before it was set to kick off on Wednesday night, as first reported by Politico. As the city’s largest municipal workers union, DC 37 wields tremendous political power with its endorsements.
Thea Setterbo, a DC 37 spokesperson, said in a statement that Adams cited advice from his legal team for skipping out on the forum that he had previously committed to attending.
“Mayor Adams has informed us that he will no longer be able to participate in tonight’s forum at the advice of his legal counsel,” Setterbo said. “We look forward to hearing from the other candidates as they make their case to our members on why they would make the best choice for New York City’s mayor.”
The mayor’s challengers are likely to attack him over his federal indictment and President Trump’s Justice Department’s decision to drop his charges earlier this month. He is facing particular heat from his competitors following a letter from former acting Attorney General Danielle Sassoon accusing his attorney and the DOJ of engaging in a quid pro quo—trading the mayor’s cooperation with implementing Trump’s immigration agenda for dismissing the case.
Adams, outside an older adult town hall event in Fort Greene, told reporters Wendesday afternoon that his attorneys advised waiting for a federal judge to decide on whether to drop his corruption case before attending campaign events like the forum.
“Let’s allow the court to do its process, there are time for debates, there are time for forums,” Adams told reporters.
The mayor was due to face off against many of his primary challengers for the first time during the event. Those scheduled to attend the forum include city Comptroller Brad Lander, his predecessor Scott Stringer, state Sens. Zellnor Myrie (D-Brooklyn) and Jessica Ramos (D-Queens), Queens Assembly Member Zohran Mamdani, and former Bronx Assembly Member Michael Blake.
Adams’ decision to forgo the event could potentially endanger any prospect of getting an endorsement from the powerful union for his reelection bid. DC37 backed Adams’ successful 2021 campaign.
It comes as Adams has been facing mounting calls from fellow Democrats for him to either resign or be removed from office by Gov. Kathy Hochul following the DOJ’s move to drop his corruption case.
On top of that, former Gov. Andrew Cuomo appears likely to launch his own run for mayor in the coming days. If Cuomo enters the race, several public polls indicate that he would be the immediate frontrunner, drawing from Adams’ base of support.
Outside the town hall event, Adams referenced “a lot of candidates” running who are “in the shados,” appearing to directly reference Cuomo and City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams — who is also weighing a run. He said that he communicated his grievance to DC 37 Executive Director Henry Gerrido in a phone call.
“Everyone should be questioned with their vision,” Adams said. “We need to get everybody that’s running. Everyone that’s running should be in the room. No candidate should be able to sit on the sideline and just send out innuendo.”
The move raises serious questions about whether Adams is still seeking reelection, even as he has insisted multiple times this week that his campaign is proceeding.
“I’m running. Petitions will be on the streets, so if you see one with my name on it, please sign it,” Adams said during a Monday news conference.
The mayor’s competitors were quick to attack him over backing out of the event.
Myrie, in a statement, blasted the mayor’s move to pull out of the forum as “disrespectful to these hardworking public servants.”
“It’s been clear since long before he was indicted that Eric Adams cares more about himself than leading our city,” Myrie said. “New Yorkers deserve a Mayor who will show up for them, answer the hard questions, and tackle the problems we’re facing with bold solutions.”
Ramos also piled on in a Wednesday afternoon social media post.
“Eric Adams threw City Hall into chaos, making life hell for city workers, and he’s too much of a coward to face them,” Ramos said. “When I’m mayor, we’re going to respect unions, respect workers, and respect public service.”
