Transcript: Mayor Eric Adams Speaks With Reporters After Voting in the 2022 General Election

November 8, 2022

Question: Thank you. Mr. Mayor, I wanted to ask you about Governor Hochul's campaign strategy. We didn't see her campaign much going out in the streets, greeting voters and so forth until the race actually started getting neck and neck with Zeldin in the polls. Do you think she should have been out there earlier? What do you make of her strategy in general?

Mayor Adams: No, I thought she was. I think that people start paying attention when you get to those last parts, but I saw her crisscrossing the city and state. She spent a lot of time down here in New York. And remember, she was campaigning throughout some very difficult periods. And even as lieutenant governor, she was very well known, particularly in the city. So I think she's done an excellent job of reaching out to folks.

Question: If Zeldin wins, can you work with him as governor?

Mayor Adams: I don't even know why I need that question. Kathy's winning tonight. And I'm looking forward to continuing the partnership that we've had. So I cast my vote for her and I'm excited about continuing some of the good stuff we've done.

Question: Mr. Mayor, the race has really come down to the issue of crime. It's been getting the most attention. How do you think the governor's messaging has been on that in the last two weeks of the race?

Mayor Adams: Good. I think that as we campaigned together… Our partnership, she has just been a real partner dealing with the removal of guns off our street. You knew that was my focus. I thought it was important. January 6th, she was in the subway station with me dealing with subway violence. What she did a few weeks ago to continue the next phase of that. It's been a real W and I think she has really hammered out that message that we are going to create a safe state.

Question: What does this election mean for you?

Mayor Adams: It means a lot. It means a lot. Remember, like I said when I walked past here last year, my mom taking me in that voting booth. The machines were different, but the spirit is the same. And she put my hands on, my finger on Percy Sutton's name. Percy Sutton was the first African American that had a real run for a mayor. And there's not one time I walk inside and I don't think about that moment. And that's what's great about this city and this country. Mothers plant seeds in children, and then those seeds become a reality. And here it is. Mom planted that seed, and now I'm the mayor. I'm able to go in and not only vote for the governor I want, but I had an opportunity to vote for the mayor I wanted.

Question: What do you have to say for people that think you're a fascist and traitor?

(Crosstalk.)

Mayor Adams: No, no, no. Let her finish. Let her finish. This is America.

Question: ...Oppress the Black people.

Mayor Adams: I say to them, I love them. I pray for them. I want them to pray for me and let's continue to pray for each other. And let's not talk at each other, let's talk to each other. And we should be in the city where we can lead the entire country of talking to each other. That's what we should do. And name calling is not going to take away from the name that my mommy gave me. Eric. Thank you.

(...)

Question: Can you speak to that? Did you know he was going to donate to Zeldin?

Mayor Adams: No, and I'm not allowed to coordinate with that PAC and I don't. I'm disappointed that to use the money to go against the candidate that I believe voted against the gun bill in D.C., that wants to put guns in the hands of teachers in school as I'm trying to take guns out of school. So I'm disappointed, but I don't have any say so on the PAC and how the money is spent. He made that decision with whichever manner he thought so. I thought it would've been better to support Democrats up and down the line, and particularly this governor. Thank you.

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