How Eric Adams’ indictment could cost Democrats their shot at winning back the US House
Big Apple Mayor Eric Adams’ corruption case could derail Democrats’ push to win back suburban congressional seats critical to controlling the House of Representatives, political strategists say.
Adams’ scandal reminds the voters of what they despise about Democrat-controlled New York City, including its “chaos,” a political consultant noted.
‘It can’t be good for Democrats. Part of the red wave in the suburbs is driven by what they see in New York City — the homeless, migrant crime and chaos. That’s why they’ve been voting Republican,” said a Democratic strategist who has worked for congressional candidates and former Dem President Bill Clinton.
“Long Island does not want to become New York City,” he said.
At stake in November is control of the House, where Republicans have only the narrowest lead. There are currently six House races in the New York suburbs or exurbs rated competitive by the Cook Political report — four are held by Republicans, and two by Democrats.
Crucially, these districts are part of the New York City media market — where the Adams scandal is likely to dominate the airwaves for weeks leading up to the Nov. 5 election.
Long Island Republican congressional candidate Mike LiPetri is hammering Democratic incumbent Rep. Tom Suozzi for once being considered by Adams to serve as a deputy mayor.
“Tom Suozzi made millions of dollars trading stocks in Congress, violated the STOCK Act [governing financial disclosures] 300 times, and now, his old buddy Eric Adams is going down in an alleged bribery scandal,” LiPetri told The Post.
“No wonder the duo considered working together in City Hall,” he said of Suozzi and Adams.
“We deserve better than these career politicians who only look out for themselves — it’s time for a fresh start,” said LiPetri, who is running in District 3, which stretches from Nassau County’s North Shore on Long Island through parts of Queens.
Suozzi declined comment on LiPetri’s broadside while issuing a statement which stopped short of calling on Adams to resign.
“It’s sad that yet another public official has been indicted. People are losing faith, but I am confident in our system of justice, and I know that by following our long established process, that in the end justice will be served,” Suozzi said.
Republican Rep. Marc Molinaro, who is running for re-election in Hudson Valley’s battleground 19th District in a rematch against Democrat Josh Riley, said the Adams scandal is definitely a campaign issue.
“In a state run by one political party for so long, this culture of incompetence and corruption needs to have people fighting back,” Molinaro said.
Republican pollster John McLaughlin claimed the Adams indictment also might spark usually Democrat-backing black voters to vote for Donald Trump for president, too.
Black voters may believe that Adams is being railroaded by the Harris-Biden’s Department of Justice, after the mayor criticized the White House’s handling of the border crisis, McLaughlin said.
Adams made his assertion of the possible political payback despite some of the allegations against him dating back years, to when Adams was Brooklyn borough president and before the city’s current migrant crisis.
Four local Democratic House candidates have called on Adams to resign, sensing their GOP opponents would try to hang the scandal around their neck.
Josh Riley, Molinaro’s Democratic rival, immediately threw Adams overboard.
“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. “Eric Adams should immediately resign.”
Democrat Laura Gillen, who is running against first-term GOP Rep. Anthony D’Esposito in southern Nassau County’s 4th District, jumped on the bandwagon, too.
“If you abuse your power you’ve got to go,” she said. “Let’s clean house in New York City and Washington D.C. and elect ethical leaders who are focused on their constituents, not themselves.”
Lefty tx-Congressman Mondaire Jones, who is running against first-term Rep. Mike Lawler in Hudson Valley’s 17th District, said, “It is a sad day for New Yorkers and the American people to see the Mayor of New York City indicted. Eric Adams should resign.”
Democrat John Avlon, who is running against freshman Republican Rep. Nick Lalota in Suffolk County’s 1st District on Long Island, said, “I believe in putting principle over partisan politics. A Democratic crook is as bad as a Republican crook.
“While everyone is entitled to a presumption of innocence before being judged by a jury, Mayor Adams should step aside for the good of all New Yorkers & there should be a special election,” Avlon said.