Mayor Eric Adams

Mayor Eric Adams
UK Government · CC BY 2.0 · source
Name	Eric Adams
Caption	Eric Adams in 2021
Office	Mayor of New York City
Term start	January 1, 2022
Predecessor	Bill de Blasio
Birth date	April 1, 1960
Birth place	Brooklyn, New York City
Party	Democratic Party
Spouse	Tracey Collins

Mayor Eric Adams is the 110th mayor of New York City, elected in 2021 after a career spanning law enforcement, elected office, and advocacy. Born and raised in Brooklyn, he is a former member of the New York City Police Department who served in elected posts at the municipal and borough levels before winning the 2021 New York City mayoral election. Adams is associated with policy debates on public safety, economic recovery, housing, transit, and public health.

Early life and education

Adams was born in Brownsville, Brooklyn and raised in a household connected to Bedford–Stuyvesant and Flatbush. He attended Xavier High School (New York City) before studying at John Jay College of Criminal Justice and later earning a master’s degree from Marist College. During his youth he was influenced by local community leaders active in civil rights movement neighborhoods and by clergy in congregations around Brooklyn Academy of Music vicinities.

Career before politics

Adams served as a police officer in the New York City Police Department, rising to the rank of captain and working in precincts across Brooklyn and Manhattan. He became a leader in the Police Benevolent Association and founded advocacy initiatives focused on community policing in partnership with organizations such as Center for Constitutional Rights advocates and NAACP chapters in New York City. After retiring from the NYPD, he worked on criminal justice reform projects connected to Columbia University and engaged with nonprofits including Common Cause-aligned efforts and urban policy programs at Brookings Institution forums.

New York City Public Advocate and Brooklyn Borough President

Adams was elected New York City Public Advocate in 2013, succeeding Bill de Blasio in a citywide office that interacted with entities such as the New York City Council and the Office of Management and Budget (New York City). In 2017 he was elected Brooklyn Borough President, representing neighborhoods across Brooklyn Heights, Coney Island, Williamsburg, and Park Slope. As borough president he worked with the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, New York City Housing Authority, MTA New York City Transit, and local community boards on land use, rezoning, and affordable housing initiatives tied to developments near Atlantic Terminal and Canarsie. His tenure included engagement with labor unions such as 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East and construction trade councils during infrastructure projects.

2021 mayoral campaign

In the 2021 New York City mayoral election, Adams campaigned on themes of public safety and economic revival, competing in a field that included Andrew Yang, Scott Stringer, Ray McGuire, Dianne Morales, and Kathryn Garcia. He participated in debates hosted by outlets such as The New York Times, NY1, and WNYC and benefited from endorsements from elected officials including members of the New York State Senate and the United Federation of Teachers. Adams advanced from the 2021 Democratic Party presidential primaries in New York-style ranked-choice primary and prevailed in the general election against the Republican nominee, engaging with ballot processes overseen by the New York City Board of Elections.

Mayoral administration

As mayor he took office at the start of a post-pandemic recovery period and coordinated with federal agencies like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and state offices including the New York State Department of Health and the Governor of New York’s administration. His administration appointed commissioners to lead the New York City Department of Education, New York City Police Department, New York City Housing Authority, and the New York City Department of Transportation. Key administrative actions involved partnership with regional bodies such as the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority to address transit ridership, homelessness responses with Department of Homeless Services (New York City), and workforce recovery aligned with New York State Department of Labor programs.

Political positions and policy initiatives

Adams has emphasized public safety reforms and community policing while advocating for tougher enforcement measures in collaboration with the New York City Police Department leadership and precinct commanders. On housing, he supported mixed-income development and changes to zoning reviewed by the New York City Planning Commission and negotiated affordable housing deals involving the New York City Economic Development Corporation. He advanced public health measures during the COVID-19 pandemic in alignment and sometimes tension with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance and New York State Department of Health mandates. On transportation, Adams promoted congestion reduction and expressed positions affecting Metropolitan Transportation Authority planning. His economic agenda involved tax incentives targeting small businesses represented by the New York City Chamber of Commerce and partnerships with financial institutions such as major New York banks on workforce development.

Personal life and affiliations

Adams is married to Tracey Collins and has one child; he maintains residences in Brooklyn and official accommodations appropriate for the Mayor of New York City office. He has affiliations with faith communities and has spoken at venues including Ebenezer Baptist Church-style congregations and civic forums at institutions like Brooklyn College. He has worked with advocacy groups and nonprofits such as Fight For NY-style coalitions, engaged with fraternal organizations including NAACP branches, and participated in events hosted by media outlets including WABC-TV and The New York Times forums.

Category:Mayors of New York City Category:Politicians from Brooklyn Category:Living people