Who wants to unseat Eric Adams to become NYC’s next mayor?

As Mayor Eric Adams faces mounting scrutiny amid federal investigations, high-profile departures from his administration and his historic indictment, he looks increasingly vulnerable for political challengers.

A growing list of challengers have made clear that they intend to dash the mayor's hopes of reelection in the upcoming 2025 race. The last time an incumbent mayor faced a primary challenge was in 1989, when three-term Mayor Ed Koch faced three opponents in a Democratic primary and lost to David Dinkins.

Adams’ poll numbers indicate a disgruntled electorate. One survey found he had a historically low 28% approval rate driven by budget cuts, his handling of the migrant crisis and the ongoing federal investigation into his fundraising — and that was before he was indicted on corruption and bribery charges. The mayor has pleaded not guilty.

But his opponents still face an uphill battle. Adams is using his bully pulpit to tout what he views as his wins: job growth, declining crime, and policy initiatives on housing and sanitation. He also has more money than his competitors. Adams’ campaign says his war chest could grow to $8 million under the city’s matching funds program, although he could potentially face the looming threat of campaign finance fines, or lose access to matching funds altogether.

All this suggests that New Yorkers may see a feisty battle in a ranked-choice election that could yield strategic alliances among candidates.

Here’s a brief rundown of who’s in the running so far.

Brad Lander

Brad Lander, 55, is promising to deliver affordability and improved quality of life to the city. He's a progressive policy wonk with ties to Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and began his campaign by arguing that the city needs better leadership.

“I believe I can deliver the safer, more affordable, more livable, and better run city that New Yorkers are hungry for,” he told Gothamist in an interview.

Adams has dismissed Lander as “the loudest person in the city.” Lander’s position as comptroller gives him a platform to scrutinize Adams' management of the city. His office's audit of the city’s no-bid emergency contracts for migrant services found that the city squandered millions of dollars.

Strength: Lander boasts the highest name recognition among the challengers, especially in the voter-rich brownstone belt of Brooklyn’s Park Slope, which he represented in the City Council for three terms. As the city comptroller, he has unique insight into how Adams runs the city.

Weakness: He will have to distinguish himself from two other left-leaning Democrats who are also attacking Adams’ management of the city. And as a white progressive, he will need to prove that he can appeal to some moderates and voters of color, including the Black and Latino New Yorkers who make up the mayor’s base.

Early campaign pledge: Lander says that as mayor he will end street homelessness for all who are mentally ill.

Zohran Mamdani

Zohran Mamdani, 33, a state assemblymember from Queens, is the most unapologetically left-leaning candidate in the race. He’s made no secret of his disdain for Adams. He has argued that the mayor’s policies, such as backing rent increases on stabilized apartments and the slow buildout of bus lanes, have made the city increasingly out of reach for many New Yorkers. A democratic socialist, Mamdani is leaning into his progressive — and potentially polarizing — bona fides at a moment when others are progressives are downplaying them in favor of stressing managerial competence.

“It's important to be open and honest and direct,” he told Gothamist. “I have been fighting to tax the rich since the first day that I have been in the assembly.”

Strength: Mamdani is a charismatic politician who has been adept at using social media and Albany budget hearings to critique the mayor. He generated buzz this summer for an appearance on the popular TikTok series “Subway Takes,” where he called Adams a “terrible mayor” who was “single handedly making life more expensive for New Yorkers.” Although he is a left-wing candidate, his focus on the skyrocketing rents, slow bus service, and high childcare costs could appeal to a broader set of voters.

Weakness: Like his fellow state lawmakers in the race, Mamdani will struggle with name recognition and will need to play catch up when it comes to fundraising. Some of his progressive stances, including taxing the rich, could also alienate moderate voters. His outspoken criticism of U.S. support for Israel amid its war in Gaza and affiliation with the Democratic Socialists of America, which opposes all funding to Israel, may also prove to be divisive among Jewish voters.

Early campaign pledges: He is promising to bring about “fast and free” bus service, freeze rents for rent-stabilized tenants and to offer universal free childcare for families.

Zellnor Myrie

Zellnor Myrie, 37, is a state senator from Brooklyn who is best known for being part of a wave of left-leaning Democrats that toppled moderate incumbents in 2018. But when he announced his exploratory bid in May, he took a non-ideological stance rooted in practical needs.

“What do everyday New Yorkers care about? They care about clean streets, safe subways and good schools and opportunities,” he told Gothamist. “It’s not a conservative, progressive or moderate thing. It’s a ‘who can deliver and make the city affordable and livable’ thing.”

Strength: As an Afro-Latino candidate, Myrie may be able to peel away support from the mayor’s base, as well as younger progressive voters. He represents Adams’ old district, which includes Crown Heights and Park Slope.

Weakness: Myrie lacks name recognition, and will need to raise money to boost his profile.

Early campaign pledge: He is advocating for “universal after-school,” which would provide free after-school programming to the poorest families before eventually expanding to include everyone. The state is performing a feasibility study for a statewide program under legislation he proposed.

Jessica Ramos

Jessica Ramos, 39, is a state senator from Queens known as an outspoken left-leaning Democrat who doesn’t pull punches. She's sparred with both Steve Cohen, the owner of the Mets, and her party’s progressive star, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. More recently, she’s made Adams the target of her energy — criticizing him over the ongoing federal investigations, his cuts to pre-K, and his handling of the migrant crisis.

“It's more evident than ever that the mayor is distracted and not able to grind, ” she told Gothamist, referring to the mayor’s trademark motto.

Strength: Ramos has strong ties to labor unions, which could make her well-positioned to win their support should they decide to abandon Adams. A first-generation Colombian who is fluent in Spanish, she has also cultivated relationships with Latino and immigrant voters. Her district in Jackson Heights is one of the most diverse neighborhoods in the city.

Weakness: She will need to play catch-up in fundraising compared to those who entered the race earlier. Ramos also lacks name recognition, and her feuds with other progressives could come back to bite her.

Early campaign pledge: Ramos has not yet revealed any specific policy proposals. She said she plans to focus on issues around affordability, specifically education and housing.

Scott Stringer

Scott Stringer, 64, a former city comptroller and Manhattan borough president, is running as a veteran of city government who says he can bring management know-how and financial acumen to the job. Stringer, who formed an exploratory committee in January, was notably Adams' first challenger.

​​Stringer hasn’t been shy about criticizing Adams, whom he challenged in the 2021 Democratic primary for mayor.

“I think this mayor has not met the moment for the city,” he told Gothamist, criticizing Adams’ record on housing, education, subway crime and mental health. “Mayors are supposed to do big things.”

Strength: Stringer is viewed as a strong retail politician who’s still popular in his political stronghold, the Upper West Side. In 2021, he formed an impressive coalition that drew support from a diverse group of progressives and unions.

Weakness: He faces baggage from allegations of unwanted sexual advances from two women who spoke out during the 2021 campaign. The accusations from Jean Kim, a former campaign volunteer and Teresa Logan, who worked at a bar he once owned, tanked his bid. Prior to announcing his exploratory committee, Stringer sued Kim for defamation. The case is ongoing.

Early campaign pledge: He told the New York Times that he would focus on creating more affordable housing and referred to a 27-point housing plan he rolled out during the 2021 mayoral campaign.

James Walden

James Walden, 58, is a high-profile attorney and former prosecutor who is well-known in government and political circles. The first-time candidate is running as a reformer promising to root out corruption and bring fresh policy ideas. He was formerly a registered Democrat but is now a political independent. He has not yet decided whether he would run as either a Democrat or Republican in the primaries. But he is prepared to run in a special election should Adams resign before March 26.

Strength: As an outsider to city politics, Walden may strike some voters as a refreshing newcomer who resembles former Mayor Michael Bloomberg. And some New Yorkers may remember him for his high-profile cases, including persuading Gov. Andrew Cuomo to provide public housing tenants with $250 million in emergency aid and representing retired city workers in their fight with the city over changes to their Medicare coverage.

Weakness: Walden has almost zero name recognition outside of political and government circles. As a first-time candidate, he is also a novice at campaigning and fundraising.

Early campaign pledge: Walden has assembled a group of 30 policy advisers he says are helping him develop a host of proposals.