Casting his ballot in the Nov. 8th general election on Tuesday at P.S. 81, located at 990 Dekalb Avenue in Brooklyn, New York City Mayor Eric Adams dismissed questions of how he would potentially work with a Republican governor in the form of Republican gubernatorial candidate and Trump supporter, Rep. Lee Zeldin (NY-1), if elected. Instead, the mayor said he looks forward to continuing his work with incumbent governor, Mrs. Kathy Hochul, on curbing crime and reducing gun violence.

 

In response to a reporter’s question about the tightening polls in the gubernatorial race, Hochul’s campaign strategy, and why in the reporter’s estimation Hochul was not seen more out campaigning on the streets earlier in the race, Adams said, “No, I thought she was. I think that people start paying attention when you get to those last parts, but I saw her crisscrossing the city and state.”

 

Adams said she spent a lot of time in the City. “Remember, she was campaigning throughout some very difficult periods, and even as lieutenant governor, she was very well known, particularly in the City, so, I think she’s done an excellent job of reaching out to folks.”

 

The mayor later went on to back the governor’s chances, playing down suggestions of a Zeldin win and saying, “I don’t even know why I need that question. Kathy’s winning tonight, and I’m looking forward to continuing the partnership that we’ve had. So, I cast my vote for her and I’m excited about continuing some of the good stuff we’ve done.”

 

Norwood News recently reported on the additional cops who have been deployed across the City’s subway system as part of the “Cops, Cameras, Care” program in efforts to instill more confidence in subway riders of their safety, amid reports of sporadic subway violence, and so that they will continue using the service.

 

Asked how he felt the governor’s messaging on crime had been, he said, “Good, I think that as we campaigned together…..our partnership, she has just been a real partner dealing with the removal of guns off our street. You knew that was my focus. I thought it was important. January 6th, she was in the subway station with me dealing with subway violence. What she did a few weeks ago to continue the next phase of that, it’s been a real W and I think she has really hammered out that message that we are going to create a safe state.”

 

The following segment was not all audible but judging from the mayor’s reply, it appears the mayor was later asked about a specific PAC, “Striving for a Better New York,” headed by a friend of his, the Rev. Alfred Cockfield II. The NY Post reported the PAC is closely aligned with Adams and reportedly donated $10,000 to Zeldin’s campaign.

 

 The mayor replied, “No, and I’m not allowed to coordinate with that PAC and I don’t. I’m disappointed that… to use the money to go against the candidate that I believe voted against the gun bill in D.C., that wants to put guns in the hands of teachers in school, as I’m trying to take guns out of school.”

 

He continued, “So I’m disappointed, but I don’t have any say so on the PAC and how the money is spent. He made that decision with whichever manner he thought so. I thought it would’ve been better to support Democrats up and down the line, and particularly this governor. Thank you.”

 

The mayor was asked what this election meant to him. He responded, “It means a lot. It means a lot. Remember, like I said, when I walked past here last year, my mom taking me in that voting booth… the machines were different, but the spirit is the same, and she put my hands on, my finger on Percy Sutton’s name. Percy Sutton was the first African American that had a real run for a mayor, and there’s not one time I walk inside, and I don’t think about that moment.”

 

He continued, “And that’s what’s great about this city and this country. Mothers plant seeds in children, and then those seeds become a reality, and here it is. Mom planted that seed, and now I’m the mayor. I’m able to go in and not only vote for the governor I want, but I had an opportunity to vote for the mayor I wanted.”

 

The mayor was then asked, “What do you have to say for people that think you’re a fascist and traitor?” Amid some crosstalk, the mayor said, “No no, no. Let her finish. Let her finish. This is America.”

 

The person who raised the point, then added something about “….oppressing the Black people.”  Adams replied, “I say to them, I love them. I pray for them. I want them to pray for me and let’s continue to pray for each other, and let’s not talk at each other, let’s talk to each other, and we should be in the city where we can lead the entire country of talking to each other. That’s what we should do, and name calling is not going to take away from the name that my mommy gave me, Eric. Thank you.”