New York City Mayor Eric Adams, a lifelong Democrat known for his moderate and conservative-leaning policies, is again at the center of political speculation. With the 2025 mayoral election approaching, reports indicate that Adams has privately considered switching to the Republican Party if his re-election bid within the Democratic Party fails. This potential shift has ignited debate across the city’s political landscape.
The Rumors and Political Calculations
Recent reports from sources, including the New York Post and The New York Times, indicate that Adams has discussed a possible Republican primary campaign. These conversations reportedly included Bronx Republican Party chairman Mike Rendino, raising questions about whether Adams sees a more viable path to victory outside the Democratic Party.
Despite these discussions, Adams has publicly denied any intention to switch parties. “There is no possibility that I will run as a Republican,” he recently stated, reaffirming his Democratic allegiance. However, given his strained relationship with progressive Democrats and his policy positions on crime, policing, and public safety—issues that resonate with conservative voters—the idea of Adams as a Republican candidate isn’t far-fetched.
A History of Party Shifts
While Adams has spent most of his political career as a Democrat, he briefly switched to the Republican Party in the early 2000s before returning to the Democratic fold. His background as a former NYPD officer and his tough-on-crime rhetoric have made him an unconventional Democrat who often appeals to right-leaning voters.
As mayor, he has often clashed with progressive members of his party regarding policing policies, budget priorities, and his approach to the migrant crisis. His centrist and law-and-order stance has attracted criticism from the left, while securing some support among conservatives and moderates.
The Deadline for a Party Switch Has Passed
For Adams to run as a Republican in the 2025 election, he needed to change his party affiliation before the February 14, 2025 deadline. Since that date has passed, his only viable path as a Republican candidate is to secure an endorsement from GOP leaders through legal or procedural exceptions.
Even if Adams were to run as a Republican, he would face an uphill battle. New York City is overwhelmingly Democratic, and the GOP has not won a mayoral race since Michael Bloomberg’s last term. However, if Adams were to lose the Democratic primary, a Republican bid might be his only chance to stay in office.
Can Adams Win as a Republican?
If Adams were to run as a Republican, he could potentially attract conservative voters, moderate Democrats, and independents. His emphasis on crime reduction and public safety might resonate with voters who feel disillusioned by the progressive wing of the Democratic Party. However, he would likely encounter significant opposition from traditional Republican leaders who may perceive him as an opportunist rather than a genuine party member.
Additionally, aligning himself with the national Republican Party could alienate New York City, which has a diverse and predominantly Democratic electorate, while Donald Trump remains a dominant figure in GOP politics. Adams would have to navigate a challenging balance between distancing himself from far-right policies and appealing to conservative voters.
Can Adams Run as a Democrat and Republican
In New York State, fusion voting allows candidates to appear on multiple party lines in the same election. This means a candidate can be nominated by more than one political party, enabling their name to appear on the ballot under each party’s endorsement. The votes cast on each party line are then aggregated, contributing to the candidate’s total vote count.
For Mayor Eric Adams to run on both the Democratic and Republican lines in the upcoming mayoral election, he must secure nominations from both parties. As a registered Democrat, Adams is eligible to participate in the Democratic primary. However, to run on the Republican line, he would need a **Wilson-Pakula authorization**, which is a legal provision in New York allowing a candidate not registered with a particular party to receive that party’s nomination. This authorization must be granted by the leaders of the respective party.
It’s important to recognize that the deadline for changing party affiliation before the 2025 mayoral election was February 14, 2025. Since this date has passed, Adams would need to obtain the necessary authorization from the Republican Party to appear on their line in addition to the Democratic line. Without this authorization, he cannot run as a Republican candidate while being a registered Democrat.
While fusion voting provides a mechanism for cross-party endorsements, obtaining nominations from both major parties is uncommon and would require significant political maneuvering. As of now, there is no public indication that Mayor Adams has received or is actively seeking the Republican nomination for the upcoming election.
Final Verdict: Likely Staying a Democrat—For Now
Despite the behind-the-scenes discussions and his complex political stance, Adams remains a Democrat. His path to victory will likely depend on whether he can secure enough support within his party to win re-election. However, if he loses the Democratic primary, his options become more limited, and a party switch—though unlikely—could turn into a last-minute strategy.
For now, Eric Adams is staying put as a Democrat. But in the ever-changing world of New York City politics, nothing can be ruled out.
