Hochul’s Quiet Moves to Reshape City Hall Amid Adams’ Challenges

By: Meyer Wolfsheim

Governor Kathy Hochul is positioning herself as a behind-the-scenes power player in New York City’s political landscape as Mayor Eric Adams faces significant legal challenges, according to sources cited by the NY Post.

However, Hochul is treading carefully, avoiding any direct moves against Adams before the upcoming elections to prevent potential backlash, particularly from Black leaders who continue to support the mayor.

Sources tell the NY Post that Hochul’s concern lies in the political risks tied to removing Adams from office too soon. Such a move could alienate Black voters, a crucial demographic for both Democrats and the governor herself. Another concern is the possibility of Andrew Cuomo entering the mayoral race if Adams were ousted prematurely. This dynamic has made Hochul hesitant to take decisive action, opting instead to influence City Hall operations quietly.

A political strategist, Hank Sheinkopf, emphasized to the NY Post that Hochul’s strategy revolves around keeping Adams in place until at least next June. This timing could prevent a political vacuum that Cuomo might exploit. Hochul’s focus, according to sources, is on bringing stability to the city’s administration by ensuring that qualified managers fill key positions.

This influence comes at a time when City Hall is under intense scrutiny, with several officials resigning amidst federal investigations into Adams. Insiders revealed to the NY Post that Hochul has pressured Adams to clean up his administration as a condition for maintaining his role. While Hochul hasn’t directly chosen replacements, she aims to ensure the city functions smoothly with a competent team.

The fallout from Adams’ federal bribery and corruption charges has paralyzed City Hall’s operations, according to Democratic insiders. “No one is picking up the phone over there,” one operative told the NY Post, noting that the leadership is absorbed in dealing with the investigations. This turmoil is also deterring potential candidates from joining the administration. “Who in their right mind is going over to the Titanic?” another source remarked, highlighting the perception of instability.

As the situation unfolds, Hochul has taken steps to reshape the leadership team at City Hall, distancing the administration from Adams’ previous practices of appointing loyalists. Recent changes include the anticipated departure of First Deputy Mayor Sheena Wright, with Maria Torres-Springer, a current deputy mayor with a reputation for effective leadership, expected to take over, sources shared with the NY Post. Other candidates for key roles include Sanitation Commissioner Jessica Tisch and Anthony Shorris, a veteran of Bill de Blasio’s administration.

This reshuffling, driven by Hochul, aims to strengthen the city’s management structure while potentially preparing for a transition should Adams’ legal troubles force his exit. However, the NY Post notes that Hochul’s interventions stop short of targeting Adams himself, as long as he retains the backing of influential Black leaders. “She can’t take the risk of pushing him out before the November election,” one insider said, pointing to the need to maintain support from suburban Black voters.

The timeline is further complicated by the upcoming June 2025 mayoral primaries. If Adams were to step down, Public Advocate Jumaane Williams would temporarily take over, which could limit further changes to the administration. “If Jumaane comes into power, he won’t be able to replace those people, so you have a management team in place,” a source explained.

Hazel Dukes, the NAACP president in New York, remains steadfast in her support for Adams..