A seismic shift in public opinion threatens to upend New York City's political landscape as its mayor grapples with serious legal troubles.
According to a New York Post report, an overwhelming majority of New York City residents are calling for Mayor Eric Adams to resign in the wake of his recent indictment on federal corruption charges.
The Marist New York City Poll, conducted shortly after Adams pleaded not guilty to the charges, reveals that 69% of New Yorkers believe the mayor should step down from his position.
The poll surveyed 1,073 adult residents of New York City between September 30 and October 1, 2024, paints a grim picture of Adams' political future. Not only do a majority of residents want him to resign, but an even larger percentage of his own Democratic Party members, 71%, think he should call it quits. Additionally, 80% of those polled believe Adams should not run for office again.
The survey results indicate that New Yorkers are not content with merely hoping for Adams' voluntary resignation. Nearly two-thirds of voters, 63%, expressed support for Governor Kathy Hochul to use her executive power to remove Adams from office if he refuses to step down voluntarily.
These numbers reflect a dramatic decline in public approval for Mayor Adams. His job approval rating has plummeted to a mere 26%, down from an already low 37% in November 2023. Almost half of the city's residents now strongly disapprove of how Adams is handling his duties as mayor.
Dr. Lee Miringoff, director of the Marist Institute for Public Opinion, summarized the poll's findings, stating that it's difficult to imagine how Adams' standing in public opinion could be any worse.
The poll results suggest that New Yorkers not only believe the mayor has engaged in illegal activities but also want him removed from office one way or another.
In response to the poll, Mayor Adams attempted to downplay its significance, suggesting that the public's reaction stems from a lack of information about his side of the story. He maintained his innocence and expressed confidence that New Yorkers would change their minds once they heard the full account of events.
The charges against Adams are serious and historic, marking the first time a sitting New York City mayor has been criminally indicted. Prosecutors allege that Adams accepted improper gifts from Turkish officials and businesspeople, including substantial discounts on hotels and flights, dating back to his tenure as Brooklyn borough president.
The indictment outlines a quid pro quo arrangement where Adams allegedly provided favors in exchange for the gifts he received. These favors included pressuring city officials to expedite approvals for the Turkish Consulate in Manhattan.
Furthermore, the mayor is accused of fraudulently obtaining $10 million in matching public campaign funds through the use of straw donors from foreign sources. These allegations strike at the heart of campaign finance laws designed to prevent foreign influence in American elections.
Mayor Eric Adams faces an unprecedented crisis as the majority of New York City residents call for his resignation following federal corruption charges. A new poll shows 69% of New Yorkers want Adams to step down, with even higher numbers among Democrats and those opposing his potential re-election bid. The mayor's approval ratings have plummeted, and there is significant support for the governor to intervene if Adams refuses to resign. T
