The young white progressive crowd might be feeling Andrew Yang, but mainstream Black and Latino voters, electeds and celebrities continue flocking to Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams for mayor.
That after Adams pulled out an eclectic string of endorsements this week starting with a powerhouse of Harlem politicos including former U.S. Rep. Charles Rangel, Assembly Member Inez Dickens and Harlem’s Martin Luther King, Jr. Democratic Club, the historic clubhouse home of Rangel, Mayor David Dinkins, Manhattan Borough President Percy Sutton and Secretary of State Basil Paterson – known as the political “Gang of Four.”
“At this critical moment for all New Yorkers, we need a mayor who has demonstrated in the past — but particularly during this horrific and difficult time when our great city must restructure its services — the belief in New York and our residents to initiate the changes required to rebuild our economy,” said Rangel. “I believe that Eric Adams is the person that has the knowledge and the strength to develop the best plan to begin New York City’s rebounding.”
Eric is a fighter, willing to stand up for the values that we New Yorkers believe in. I support Eric Adams for Mayor because I believe that he will guide all New Yorkers to a brighter future.”
“New Yorkers are suffering, but particularly all working people and people of color. We need a fighter who has lived our struggle and knows first-hand our experiences,” said Dickens. “I believe Eric Adams has the knowledge, energy and ideas to deliver a more prosperous, fairer city for all, leaving no one behind.”
Meanwhile, Adams, also received an endorsement Tuesday from former heavyweight boxing champion Larry Holmes. Known as the Pride of Easton Pennsylvania and the Easton Assasin came within one fight of Rocky Marciano’s undefeated heavyweight record, and is on many lists as being one of the greatest heavyweight champions.
Also endorsing Adams were sports legends including former Mets all-stars Dwight “Doc” Gooden and Ed Kranepool; Super Bowl XXV MVP Ottis “O.J.” Anderson
The parade of endorsements comes as a WPIX-TV/NewsNation/Emerson College poll released yesterday shows Yang leading the crowded Democratic primary with support from 32% of likely Democratic voters.
Rounding out the top five candidates at this stage in the race are Adams at 19%, followed by former counsel to Mayor de Blasio Maya Wiley at 9%, NYC Comptroller Scott Stringer at 6%, and Former NYC Department of Sanitation Commissioner Kathryn Garcia at 5%.
The poll also found that Yang leads all candidates among white and Asian voters, and he is favored among the majority of voters aged 18 to 29.
Adams is the top choice among black and Hispanic voters. He is also the top choice among voters’ second-choice candidates with 11%, followed by Yang at 9%, and Stringer at 8%.
Being a second choice could play an important role in this year’s primary as ranked choice voting will be instituted for the first time.
