NEW YORK (1010 WINS/WCBS 880) – Mayor Eric Adams may face another challenger in the 2025 mayoral race, this time from within his own party. Brooklyn Senator Zellnor Myrie, a progressive Democrat, announced on Wednesday that he is forming a campaign committee to raise funds for a possible run for the mayor's office.
“I would not be who I am today if not for this city,” Myrie said during an interview with WCBS 880. “We're focused on raising the resources to make our case to New Yorkers. This is day one of the campaign account opening, and that decision [to run for mayor] will come in the weeks and months ahead.”
Myrie is the second officially declared candidate trying to block the mayor’s path to a second term, after the city’s former comptroller, Scott Stringer, announced plans earlier this year to raise money for a potential bid.
“Many times, the city feels rudderless and without leadership,” Myrie said. “So we are taking the first step today because New Yorkers deserve better, and I'm hoping to provide an opportunity for them to choose differently.”
During the interview, Myrie criticized Adams’ budget cuts and said he believe that New Yorkers are losing access to the same opportunities. “For too many New Yorkers, that opportunity is slipping away. As I think about my own family and the family I want to create, it's getting harder and harder to afford housing and childcare. At a time when so many New Yorkers are struggling, this administration has chosen to cut parks, libraries, and after-school programs.”
Myrie also criticized the inconsistency of recent budget decisions. “Even when the cuts have been made, the mayor has changed direction and said they are now restored, further disturbing stability for families, parents, and providers. New Yorkers don't want any more showmanship; they want to see results.”
When asked what he would have done differently to address the challenge posed by the migrant influx, he said, “On the state level, we provided resources to help deal with the crisis. But I think New Yorkers expect their leaders not to make excuses and to come up with creative and nuanced solutions. That's why we proposed Work NYC, which would give asylum seekers work permits while they await their asylum trials. These people just want to work.”
Regarding the specific changes he would bring to City Hall if elected, Myrie pointed at two key priorities which are establishing a “well-run, competent government and making the city more affordable.”
He also noted the importance of universal after-school programs to provide relief for working families and to keep communities safe. He noted that children are most likely to get into trouble between 3 and 6 p.m., but with proper investment, these programs can lay the foundation for future success.
When asked if he believes he is better suited than Adams to handle subway crime, Myrie said, “I will be making the case that we are. I have spent my Senate career fighting against gun violence and getting guns off the street. I believe we need similar approaches on our subways so that people not only are safe in concept but actually feel safe.”
Myrie is the son of two Costa Rican immigrants who came to New York City and worked in factories. His father later became a special education teacher, while his mother pursued a career as a nurse and eventually became a small business owner. Inspired by the opportunities his parents found in the city, Myrie has dedicated his career to advocating for similar opportunities for all New Yorkers.
Myrie, 37, first won election to New York’s state senate in 2018 in an upset victory against an incumbent. He has racked up a string of legislative wins, including the recent passage of the Clean Slate Act, which allows some people to have their criminal records expunged after a multiyear waiting period.
As of late last year, Myrie had already secured $1 million in potential financial commitments for a possible campaign against Adams, Bloomberg News reported, citing a person familiar with the matter. Adams has already raised $2.9 million for his reelection campaign, according to the New York City Campaign Finance Board.
A December poll by Quinnipiac University found the mayor with a 28% approval rating, the lowest rating since the school began polling New York City’s registered voters almost 30 years ago.