Former New York Gov. David Paterson has thrown his support behind incumbent NYC Mayor Eric Adams in the upcoming re-election race, signaling a strategic shift in the political landscape of the city. Paterson, a Democrat who previously served as governor from 2007 to 2009, confirmed the endorsement during an appearance on the “Cats & Cosby” radio show on Tuesday. He announced the decision while discussing an event planned for Wednesday at city hall, where he will formally declare his support for Adams.
Adams, who assumed the mayoral office in 2022, had already taken an independent path in the Democratic primary by choosing not to contest the primary. Instead, he opted to run in the general election as an independent, a strategy that has placed him at odds with party leaders. Paterson’s endorsement appears to reinforce Adams’ position as a viable candidate in the general election, particularly as he faces stiff competition from Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic primary winner, and former Governor Andrew Cuomo, who is also running as an independent.
Mamadani, a self-described Democratic Socialist, has positioned himself as a champion of progressive policies, including rent control, free and fast public transit, and universal childcare. His campaign has drawn significant support from progressive voters, creating a challenge for Adams. Meanwhile, Cuomo, who lost the Democratic primary to Mamdani, has launched an independent bid for mayor, arguing that the city’s leaders failed to address critical issues during the primary process.
Paterson, who had previously endorsed Cuomo in the primary due to concerns over Adams’ indictment, explained that he chose to back Adams in the general election after the initial legal case against him was dismissed. The endorsement by Paterson, a respected figure in New York politics, could play a crucial role in shaping public perception of the candidates and influencing voter behavior in the November election.