New York City’s mayoral race has always been a spectacle, but the 2025 contest has reached new heights of drama, intrigue, and political soul-searching. Over the past week, the city watched as incumbent Mayor Eric Adams, mired in controversy and facing a federal indictment, abruptly ended his reelection bid, leaving a political vacuum and a field of candidates scrambling to define the future of America’s largest city.
The latest twist came on October 2, when former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, now running as an independent, declared in a televised interview that he would not accept an endorsement from President Trump if it were offered. "No, the tent isn’t that big, Kristen. That’s the limitation," Cuomo told NBC’s Kristen Welker on “Meet the Press NOW.” He added, "I have not had a conversation, nor would I accept an endorsement from President Trump." Instead, Cuomo made it clear he’d gladly accept the support of outgoing Mayor Adams, who had announced just days earlier that he was suspending his campaign. "Yes, I would welcome his support. You know, this is a general election, it’s Democrats, Republicans, independents. I would welcome the mayor’s support," Cuomo said, emphasizing their longstanding relationship from their days working together in Albany, when Adams was a state senator.
Cuomo’s comments underscored the rapidly shifting alliances and the unique dynamics at play as the city heads toward the November election. The current field features Cuomo, Democratic nominee Zohran Mamdani, and Republican Curtis Sliwa, all vying to succeed Adams. According to a Decision Desk HQ polling average that still included Adams, Mamdani was leading with 45 percent, Cuomo trailed at 27 percent, Sliwa at 12 percent, and Adams at 8 percent. Even if every one of Adams’s supporters switched to Cuomo, the former governor would still be behind Mamdani, 35 percent to 45 percent.
But the race is about more than numbers—it’s about the stories behind the headlines. Adams’s own narrative took a deeply personal turn this week with the revelation that his former girlfriend, Jasmine Ray, is releasing a tell-all memoir about their secret romance and her years in his political orbit. According to The New York Post, Ray describes her initial heartbreak in 2016, when Adams, then Brooklyn Borough President, told her he needed space to pursue bigger ambitions. Five years later, after winning the Democratic primary for mayor, Adams texted Ray: "I just won the primary. I’m going to be Mayor of New York City, and I don’t want to do this without you." Ray went on to hold a $160,000-a-year job as director of the Mayor’s Office of Sports, Wellness and Recreation, a position she resigned from just last week—days before Adams exited the race.
Ray’s memoir, “Political Humanity,” offers a rare glimpse into Adams’s private life, recounting their deepening relationship, his spiritual beliefs, and even moments when Adams warned her about being on federal investigators’ radar as they expanded their probe into his administration’s dealings. The book details, among other things, Adams’s penchant for meditation, his affinity for the streaming platform Gaia, and a memorable dinner at a Turkish restaurant in Sheepshead Bay, where Adams revealed he’d listed Ray as his emergency contact. As Ray told The New York Post, "He used one word. Resolve. That’s what he said. You know, he felt resolved," reflecting on Adams’s decision to suspend his campaign.
The mayor’s tenure, however, has been anything but tranquil. As reported by The Daily Targum, Adams faced a five-count indictment for conspiracy, wire fraud, bribery, and soliciting illegal campaign contributions from foreign nationals. The case, which the Justice Department later asked to be dismissed, nonetheless cast a long shadow over his administration and contributed to his sagging approval ratings. A poll conducted on September 25 found that only 8 percent of likely voters still supported Adams. For comparison, Cuomo—who resigned as governor in 2021 after a state report found he sexually harassed 11 women, allegations he denies—polled at 25 percent in the same survey.
This pattern of continued support for candidates with controversial or even criminal records is not unique to New York. As The Daily Targum notes, President Donald Trump was elected in 2024 despite facing 88 criminal charges. Trump’s anti-crime rhetoric and anti-establishment persona resonated with voters, even as he himself was embroiled in legal troubles. The article suggests that Americans are often more swayed by a candidate’s message and narrative than by their criminal record. Trump, for instance, is seen by many as an outsider challenging the establishment, while Cuomo, with his deep political roots and family ties, is viewed as the embodiment of the political elite.
Meanwhile, the candidate currently leading the New York City mayoral race, Zohran Mamdani, has managed to carve out a unique space for himself. A self-proclaimed democratic socialist, Mamdani was once labeled anti-police but has since moderated his stance, now emphasizing the essential role of law enforcement in public safety. He has positioned himself as the candidate for justice, contrasting his record with those of Cuomo and Adams, both of whom have faced significant controversy. Mamdani’s rise reflects a broader trend: voters appear to be favoring candidates who present themselves as outsiders or reformers, regardless of their ideological leanings.
Jasmine Ray, for her part, believes Adams made a mistake by quitting. "I think he made a mistake by quitting," she told The New York Post. "I think the city made a mistake by turning their back on him. This situation is very frustrating and sad, but yeah, no, I just hope the city forgives him. I hope he forgives the city, you know, and then everybody just has a good life." Adams, who has not publicly commented on Ray’s memoir or their prior romance, remains in a long-term relationship with Tracey Collins.
The swirling controversies, shifting allegiances, and personal revelations have created an election season unlike any in recent memory. As the city looks ahead to November, the race is not just about who will occupy City Hall—it’s a referendum on the kind of leadership New Yorkers want, the narratives they believe, and the values they hold dear.
One thing is certain: with Adams out and the spotlight shifting to Cuomo, Mamdani, and Sliwa, New York’s political future is as unpredictable as ever. The coming weeks will reveal whether voters will continue the trend of favoring anti-establishment voices or return to more traditional political figures. For now, the city waits, watches, and wonders what the next chapter will bring.
