New York City Mayor Eric Adams, a Democrat, is facing corruption charges following an early morning search of his official residence by federal agents on September 26. Newsweek reports that this development raises significant questions about the future leadership of New York City. Despite calls from several influential political figures in the city for him to resign, Adams maintains that he has no intention of stepping down, leaving his future uncertain.
If convicted, could he remain in office?
As noted by Newsweek, if Adams is arrested, he would become the first sitting mayor in New York City’s history to face criminal charges—an unprecedented situation with no established process for what would happen next. Under current law, a mayor who is arrested or convicted is not legally prevented from staying in office; however, political pressure could compel Adams to resign. Should he choose to step down, Public Advocate Jumaane Williams would temporarily take over as mayor and would have to announce a timeline for a special election to appoint a new mayor within three days, with the election occurring within 80 days.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul has the authority to suspend or remove Adams from office, but she has expressed that individuals should be presumed innocent until proven guilty. Additionally, Adams could voluntarily designate himself as unable to carry out his duties, which would allow an acting mayor to assume his responsibilities.
While Adams has stated he will not resign, it is expected that the political pressure will intensify. Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a fellow Democrat, has publicly urged him to resign for the sake of New York City. In contrast, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, both from New York, have opted to respect the judicial process without taking a definitive position.
It’s worth mentioning that no sitting New York City mayor has ever been arrested or charged with a crime. Former Mayor Bill de Blasio dealt with a corruption investigation related to alleged favoritism towards donors during the 2013 election, but he was not charged. Similarly, former Mayor Mike Bloomberg was investigated in 2010 for significant donations to the Independence Party that benefited Republican candidates but faced no charges as well.
Who are the potential candidates for the upcoming mayoral election?
The next mayoral election is set for 2025, and several contenders are already eyeing the race. Notable Democrats include City Comptroller Brad Lander and State Senator Jessica Ramos. On the Republican side, candidates like Curtis Sliwa, who ran for mayor in 2022, and City Councilman Joe Borelli are being considered.
Adams has been serving as mayor since January 1, 2022, and his term is scheduled to end on December 31, 2025. He had previously announced plans to seek re-nomination from the Democratic Party next year, but the recent corruption allegations have complicated those intentions significantly.
