NEW YORK — Three New York House candidates on Thursday called for fellow Democrat and New York City Mayor Eric Adams to resign immediately, and a fourth strongly implied he should step aside.
Their statements came a day after Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez demanded Adams resign from his post "for the good of the city." Adams responded by calling her a "no-show congresswoman."
The statements, from Josh Riley, Mondaire Jones, John Avlon and Laura Gillen, came as prosecutors with the Southern District of New York released a 5-count criminal indictment against the mayor.
Some made the call hours before the indictment was unsealed. Jones did so in an X post after prosecutors detailed how they believe Adams abused his office for kickbacks from foreign interests including upgraded plane tickets and other travel perks.
All four are looking to unseat Republicans in some of the country’s most competitive House races, seeking seats in New York crucial to determining which party controls Congress come January.
“Upstate New York is facing serious issues, and the last thing we need is more corrupt downstate politicians compounding the problems, exporting their chaos, and abusing the public’s trust,” Riley said in a statement to POLITICO. “Eric Adams should resign immediately.”
“As he awaits his day in court, he is incapable of leading the city,” Jones posted on X. “Whether it is a sitting mayor or a criminally convicted former president, any public servant who abuses his or her power must be held accountable.”
And Gillen said in a prepared statement, "It doesn't matter if you're a Republican putting his mistress on the taxpayer-funded payroll or a Democrat selling influence, if you abuse your power you've got to go." She was also referring to her challenger, Rep. Anthony D'Esposito, who is accused of putting his lover on congressional payroll.
None of the candidates have a close personal relationship with Adams, and all are subject to attacks from their Republican rivals linking them to the mayor.
At a news conference Thursday at the mayoral residence in Manhattan, Adams said he was determined to fight the charges and stay in office.
Also on Thursday, other New York officials, including House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Rep. Tom Suozzi, declined to call for Adams' ouster even as they stressed the severity of the allegations.
Molinaro, meanwhile, posted on X, “New Yorkers want safety and affordability. Instead Mayor Eric Adams gave us migrant bussing, more crime, and corruption.”
Emily Ngo contributed to this report.
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