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Mayor Eric Adams had no reaction on Monday in response to one of his closest allies endorsing former Gov. Andrew Cuomo for mayor.
“No reaction… Again, none of this is personal. She is one of my dearest friends," he said. “People are doing what they think is the best equation for them and we keep it moving.”
Assemblywoman Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn, who also serves as the chair of the Brooklyn Democratic Party, threw her support behind the ex-governor on Sunday.
The assemblywoman jumping ship is just the latest sign that Adams is facing an uphill battle in getting a second term in office, despite the mayor’s confidence.
“When she makes decisions, that doesn’t bother me. The name of the game is, I always say this, ‘I’m not running against candidates. I’m running against myself.’”
On top of losing longtime supporters, Adams has a sparse campaign operation and has yet to nab any major endorsements.
Adams on Monday fueled reports that he may be looking to run as an independent if he were to lose the June Democratic primary.
“When I am ready to roll out my official reannouncement and my plan, I will do so. I’m going to make sure all of you are invited to it," he said.
Bichotte Hermelyn added credence to a potential third-party run by Adams.
“He has announced somewhat that he is running an independent campaign and for us as a Democratic leader, I have to support a Democrat. Someone who is running in the Democratic primary," she told NY1 on Sunday.
Last month, sources told NY1 that Adams was reaching out to Republican leaders for potential support for his bid but it seems now that the mayor has switched strategies.
Curtis Sliwa is the official Republican in the race.
There are less than 100 days until the June primary.
“This is like that Ice Cube Show where the kids in the car keep saying, ‘Are we there yet? Are we there yet? Are we there yet?’ This is a long ride. This is going to change so much over the next couple of months," he said.
Currently, candidates are gathering enough signatures to appear on the primary ballot.
The deadline to turn in petitions is April 3.
