Primary challenges to Adams increasingly likely as contenders reveal cash hauls

Political fundraising in New York City of late suggests voters could be bracing for what has become an anomaly in recent mayoral elections: a contested primary for the city’s top job while an incumbent is still holding the post.

Based on campaign finance data released Monday, Mayor Adams is now facing three credible threats to winning another term in City Hall — the city’s former Comptroller Scott Stringer, state Sen. Zellnor Myrie and current Comptroller Brad Lander — all of whom are amassing considerable warchests for potential runs.

A primary challenge to a sitting mayor is not unheard of in modern history, but if it does happen, it would be the first significant one since former Mayor David Dinkins defeated then-Mayor Ed Koch in the 1989 Democratic primary.

Dinkins, the city’s first black mayor, went on to defeat Rudy Guiliani, then a federal prosecutor, in the general election, but he lost to the Republican in a rematch four years later when he ran for a second term.

Richard Flanagan, a CUNY poli sci professor, said it’s part and parcel of the current political zeitgeist, both in the city and nationally.

“It’s a sign of the times. When going big and bold is what you do,” Flanagan said. “It’s a culture of chaos and not waiting around for your turn anymore.”

To that end, Myrie, Lander and Stringer are raising a lot of money, the latest round of which they were required to report to the city’s Campaign Finance Board on Monday.

Adams, though, remains the favorite in the race and has considerably more campaign cash at the ready. His campaign told the Daily News that he’s raised a total of $4 million in contributions for his 2025 run, which will grow to about $8 million when factoring in matching funds.

According to CFB data and numbers released by their political operations, Myrie raised a total of $326,480 since May when he announced he was launching an exploratory committee focused on a mayoral run. When adding in additional money, Myrie expects to receive through the city’s public matching funds program, that total climbs to more than $1.3 million.

“New Yorkers across all five boroughs are supporting Zellnor because they’re ready for strong, new leadership in City Hall,” said his campaign’s spokeswoman Monica Klein. “With over 2,000 donations, Zellnor is building the support and momentum needed to power this campaign and make our city more affordable and livable.”

A day earlier, Stringer released his own haul, which he began amassing six months ago when he announced his exploratory committee. Since then, he’s raised approximately $425,000 from 2,100 donors and estimates it will grow to about $2.1 million through the use of the matching funds program.

“This substantial support shows that New Yorkers are ready for a change—and they are asking for the change I can deliver,” Stringer said in a written statement Monday. “New Yorkers are sick of failed promises, few tangible accomplishments, a middling vision, and a City Hall that bounces between incompetence, chaos, and petty corruption.”

Lander — who has not yet announced a mayoral run, but has said he’s considering one — did not raise nearly as much as his predecessor within the same six month timeframe. According to CFB records, he netted $187,455 since January.

But Lander has a head start on both Stringer and Myrie — and will be able to repurpose what he’s so far raised for a comptroller run to a mayoral campaign if he so decides. For the comptroller post, he’s so far raised more than $650,000. With matching funds, the total amount would come to just over $3 million — putting him ahead of both Stringer and Myrie.

“Brad is proud to have raised millions of dollars for his comptroller account, and if he decides to run for another office will have all the resources he needs to communicate his positive vision and record of results to New Yorkers,” said Rebecca Rodriguez, a spokeswoman for Lander’s campaign.

Adams is facing challenges despite the typical advantages of of incumbency. He, his aides and his campaign are facing several investigations on the federal, state and local levels, though he has not been accsued of any wrongdoing His approval ratings are low. And his relationship with the City Council is strained to say the least.

Despite that, he is considered the favorite to win come next year.

Basil Smikle, a Democratic strategist who served as the manager of Ray McGuire’s 2021 mayoral campaign, said the fundraising numbers released Monday show that Lander, Stringer and Myrie are “all credible candidates,” but that it remains to be seen whether they have a credible shot at beating Adams.

“They’ve gotta break through,” he said. “One has to develop a compelling reason to get rid of him, and I don’t know that that has arisen as yet. Maybe there’s an opening down the road if these investigations turn into something more serious, but who knows if that’s going to happen between now and the primary.”