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By: Jared Evan
Mayor Eric Adams is ramping up his reelection efforts, but his focus isn’t just on his declared opponents—it’s on former Governor Andrew Cuomo, who hasn’t even announced his candidacy. In a fiery interview with Politico published Monday, Adams criticized Cuomo’s role in implementing controversial bail reform laws that many blame for New York City’s spiraling crime and recidivism rates.
“People who are running are going to have to take claim for the stuff they did when they were holding office,” Adams stated. “Who was there for the original bail reform? Who signed some of these procedures? You’re going to have to answer these questions.”
Adams’ comments underscore his strategy of tying Cuomo to the far-reaching consequences of progressive policies enacted during his three terms as governor. The controversial bail reform measures, signed into law by Cuomo in 2019, eliminated cash bail for most misdemeanors and non-violent felonies, a move critics say emboldened repeat offenders and jeopardized public safety.
Adams is grappling with the fallout from policies championed by Cuomo and former Mayor Bill de Blasio, whose tenure was marked by what many see as reckless governance. De Blasio’s progressive agenda, combined with Cuomo’s bail reforms, created a perfect storm of lawlessness that Adams inherited. From skyrocketing recidivism rates to a demoralized NYPD, New York City has struggled to regain its footing.
Despite Adams’ efforts to portray himself as a tough-on-crime mayor, polling suggests that many New Yorkers remain dissatisfied with his leadership. A recent American Pulse & Research Polling survey showed Cuomo, who resigned in disgrace amid sexual misconduct allegations, leading Adams in a hypothetical Democratic primary by a wide margin—44% to 24%; this shows the lack of knowledge Democrat voters in NYC have when it comes to the issues. Cuomo is directly responsible for the deterioration of NYC, yet the average mentally inadequate Democrat voter would vote for the man responsible for their ails.
While Cuomo has not formally entered the race, sources suggest he is considering a run for mayor, particularly if Adams’ legal troubles or low approval ratings force him out of contention. Cuomo, known for his political resilience, has been quietly lobbying business leaders and courting support from key voter blocs, including Black and Jewish communities.
Adams’ team is already preparing to go on the offensive against Cuomo, highlighting his role in bail reform and other policies they claim have devastated the city. Cuomo spokesperson Rich Azzopardi dismissed Adams’ criticisms as premature, noting, “Every campaign is an assessment of a candidate’s ability to manage and to match their rhetoric with their performance to improve the lives of New Yorkers.”
Adams’ critique of Cuomo and de Blasio reflects a broader frustration with the progressive policies that left the city reeling. De Blasio’s tenure was characterized by rampant mismanagement, deteriorating public services, and a lack of accountability, while Cuomo’s policies on bail reform and public safety exacerbated the crisis. Together, they left Adams with a city plagued by crime, homelessness, and crumbling public trust.
Adams has faced criticism for his administration’s handling of crime, but he insists that his office is actively working to address the root causes of recidivism. While he has called for changes to bail reform laws, his proposals remain vague and have yet to gain traction in Albany. Meanwhile, Governor Kathy Hochul, Cuomo’s successor, has tried to distance herself from the fallout, touting recent tweaks to bail laws that allow judges to consider a defendant’s likelihood of reoffending.
