Former New York City Comptroller Scott Stringer Mulling Mayoral Run Against Eric Adams

Former New York City Comptroller and 2021 mayoral candidate Scott Stringer said Thursday he would form a committee and begin raising funds for a possible primary challenge against Mayor Eric Adams.

Former New York City Comptroller and 2021 mayoral candidate Scott Stringer said Thursday he is forming a committee and beginning to raise funds for a possible primary challenge against Mayor Eric Adams.

The New York Times reports Stringer is the first Democrat to move toward contesting Adams’ re-election bid.

If Stringer decides to challenge Adams he will have his work cut out for him. The last time an incumbent was defeated by a challenger in a New York City mayoral race was 1989 when David Dinkins defeated Ed Koch.

Adams, the city’s second Black mayor after Dinkins, has had a rocky first term. The former NYPD officer has made several missteps concerning the migrant crisis, budget cuts to schools and libraries, and the FBI investigation into his ties with Turkey. Adams currently has a historically low approval rating of 28%.

Stringer’s announcement could lead to more challengers for Adams, who won a contested race that included Stringer, former Citi executive Ray McGuire, former Sanitation Commissioner Kathryn Garcia, former Bill de Blasio aide Maya Wiley, and former HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan.

According to Stringer, New Yorkers are facing a crisis of confidence and are concerned about City Hall’s ability to manage the budget and the migrant crisis. Stringer believes he’s an experienced alternative who plans to increase affordable housing construction island who can turn the tide of falling revenue and budget cutting.

“Let’s be blunt: Stuff ain’t getting done,” Stringer said, according to the Times, a dig at Adams’ “get stuff done” motto. “I know how to lead. I know how to manage. And I know the finances of the city like the back of my hand.”

Stringer, however, has his own issues. In 2021, an associate of the former comptroller accused him of groping her and pressuring her to have sex with him when he was running for public advocate. Stringer denied all allegations, and sued his accuser, Jean Kim, for defamation, but the claims were enough to all but end his hopes of becoming mayor.

Stringer has planned listening sessions and fund-raising events across the city in the coming days and says he will make a final decision on his candidacy in the second half of the year.

Other potential challengers to Adams include State Senator Jessica Ramos; former Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo, who resigned under allegations of sexual harassment; Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, and Garcia, who is currently the New York State operations director and finished second in the 2021 Democratic primary.