NYC Mayor Adams weighing Hail Mary play that'll let him run on GOP line if he loses Dem primary: sources
Share and Follow

Mayor Eric Adams is considering an unconventional political strategy to potentially regain his position at City Hall. In a surprising move, he is contemplating running as a Republican if he faces rejection from the Democrats. This maneuver would allow him to pursue a path back to power without officially leaving his own party, according to sources familiar with the situation.

Hizzoner has had several conversations in recent weeks about utilizing a state law that would essentially grant him a waiver to run on the GOP line in the general election should he lose the Democratic primary in June, according to multiple sources familiar with the talks.

“It’s a Hail Mary in case he doesn’t get the primary nod,” one city Republican official said Thursday.

Under the state’s Wilson-Pakula law, a majority of the city’s five GOP county committees would essentially have to grant Adams permission to appear as their mayoral candidate on the Republican ballot — even though he would still remain a Democrat.


Mayor Eric Adams
Mayor Adams has had several conversations in recent weeks about utilizing a state law that would essentially grant him a waiver to run on the GOP line should he lose the Democratic primary in June, sources said. REUTERS

Adams has insisted he has zero plans to switch parties ahead of the mayoral race, telling the Post: “I am not running as a Republican.”

But the embattled mayor has been either speaking to or trying to arrange meetings with multiple GOP officials to try and line up support if his own party chooses to back another candidate in an already crowded primary race, the sources said.

Adams started weighing the potential escape hatch option as doubts swirled about his future at City Hall amid his historic federal corruption case and dismal polling that show him trailing others — notably ex-Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who hasn’t even officially thrown his hat in the ring, according to sources.

While some Republican power brokers are likely to balk at embracing a longtime Dem over one of their own, sources said county bosses would likely play ball if President Trump told them to get on board with an Adams alliance.

“It’s going to take an act of the presidency,” one GOP official said, adding, “And even then it’s not sure.”

Another political pundit said the move would require tactful political maneuvering and even if they pulled it off, didn’t think it would pay off. 

“I think they are dreaming,” he said. 

Republicans have yet to select a candidate but Curtis Sliwa — the red-bereted founder of the Guardian Angels — officially became a mayoral candidate Thursday.

Sliwa, a GOP firebrand, was said to have already been told that the county chairs would have no choice but to ditch him if Trump gave the word to back the embattled mayor, according to sources.

Among the top GOP officials Adams has already reached out to are Bronx GOP chairman Mike Rendino and Manhattan Republican leader Andrea Catsimatidis, people familiar with their talks said.

Rendino said he received an out-of-the-blue call from Adams Monday during which they discussed how he’d need support from three of the five county leaders to run — or change his registration entirely.

He insisted to The Post that he would oppose supporting Hizzoner under the Wilson-Pakula law.

“If he’s switches to a Republican, he’s a Republican mayor,” he said. “We’d have to see what he and President Trump do before the Republican primary.”

Still, some were skeptical Adams could even pull off such a radical play.

“It’s a very hard win,” a GOP city official said, while another source added, “I don’t see how that has any reality.”

Details of Hizzoner’s apparent longshot efforts to retain his mayoral seat emerged over the past few weeks as he grappled with his political future with his historic criminal case looming and he began cozying up to Trump post-election.

It comes, too, just days after Trump’s Department of Justice ordered Manhattan federal prosecutors to drop its historic corruption case against Adams. As of Thursday, the Manhattan prosecutors have yet to move to kill the charges and the interim chief of the Southern District, Danielle Sassoon, resigned rather than comply. 

Democratic strategist Chris Coffey said that Adams could carve out a lane with voters if the Democrats choose a far-left socialist for the November ticket. 

“If the candidate is a DSA-aligned, it’s doable — but if it’s a Cuomo or stringer it’s much, much, much harder,” Coffey said.

“But it still seems like a real stretch and would be done with a budding partnership with Donald Trump,” he continued, noting Dems still outnumber Republicans 8 to 1 despite Trump’s gains in New York City last year.

Share and Follow
You May Also Like
UPS plane crash in Louisville claims 15th victim weeks after fiery takeoff failure

Tragic UPS Plane Crash in Louisville: 15th Victim Succumbs Weeks After Catastrophic Takeoff Incident

NTSB releases preliminary report on UPS plane crash Charley Pereira, a former…
New Yorkers enraged over Times Square Christmas billboard

Outrage Erupts in New York: The Times Square Christmas Billboard That’s Stirring Controversy

A Times Square billboard declaring ‘Jesus is Palestinian’ has sparked outrage, with…
Jimmy Kimmel claims 'tyranny is booming' in heated Christmas message

Jimmy Kimmel Sounds Alarm on Rising ‘Tyranny’ in Passionate Christmas Message

On Christmas Day, Jimmy Kimmel delivered a sharp critique of Donald Trump…
Christmas Eve 2025: Chicago holiday shopping on Magnificent Mile, Christkindlmarket packed

Unwrap the Magic: Christmas Eve 2025 Shopping Extravaganza on Chicago’s Magnificent Mile and Christkindlmarket!

CHICAGO (WLS) — The festive cheer was palpable across Chicago on Christmas…
Australian prime minister announces national bravery honors after antisemitic terror attack

Australian PM Awards National Bravery Honors in Response to Antisemitic Terror Attack

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese unveiled plans on Thursday for a national…
Florida man kills wife, shoots stepdaughter and himself after argument

Tragic Florida Incident: Man Fatally Shoots Wife, Injures Stepdaughter, and Takes Own Life After Domestic Dispute

A family in Florida experienced unspeakable tragedy when an argument over a…
Chicago Christmas 2025: Hundreds of Christmas Day meals delivered to West Englewood shelter by St. Sabina Church volunteers

St. Sabina Church Volunteers Spread Holiday Cheer with Meal Deliveries to West Englewood Shelter on Christmas 2025

In a heartwarming gesture just in time for Christmas, hundreds of meals…
Zelenskyy encouraged by 'very good' Christmas talks with US

Zelenskyy Hails Progress in ‘Very Good’ Christmas Discussions with US: Strengthening Ukraine-US Relations

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy voiced optimism on Thursday regarding the advancement of…