New York City Mayor Eric Adams began campaigning in earnest for re-election Thursday as an independent candidate, attacking presumptive Democratic candidate Zohran Mamdani by criticizing some of his progressive platforms.

New York Mayor Eric Adams set out Thursday to persuade skeptical voters to grant him a second term, hosting a kickoff event for his independent reelection bid after a corruption indictment, a controversial dismissal and a decision to drop out of a the Democratic primary.

Eric Adams was once a rising star in the Democratic Party. His reelection will hinge on taking down the newest one. Hours after Zohran Mamdani’s performance in New York City’s Democratic primary electrified national politics,