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NYC Mayor Adams indicted: Democrats brace for impact

The unsealed federal indictment on corruption charges Thursday against Eric Adams, New York City’s embattled Democratic mayor, has sent shock waves across the political universe – terrible optics for his party just weeks before the November elections. 

But whether the indictment of Mayor Adams will affect the presidential race remains to be seen. Nationally, the smackdown between former President Donald Trump, the Republican nominee, and Vice President Kamala Harris, who emerged as Democratic nominee just weeks ago, has dominated discussion. 

Why We Wrote This

The corruption indictment against Mayor Eric Adams of New York City is a blow to Democrats right before the November elections. Could it have ripple effects on the presidential campaign or congressional races?

It may be that the drama in New York – the first-ever indictment of a sitting mayor in America’s largest city – remains a largely regional issue. 

But even there, a local impact could have national implications. The race for control of the U.S. House, with Republicans holding a narrow majority, will hinge on a few races, with one of them on Long Island.

“Voters … are not usually surprised by corruption in big-city politics,” says Democratic strategist Alex Navarro-McKay. But, he adds, there could be “modest effects on the congressional races in the New York City media market.” 

Mr. Navarro-McKay is referring to the 4th Congressional District race in Long Island, where GOP Rep. Anthony D’Esposito is under investigation for ethics violations. 

The unsealed federal indictment on corruption charges Thursday against Eric Adams, New York City’s embattled Democratic mayor, has sent shock waves across the political universe – terrible optics for his party just weeks before the November elections. 

But whether the five-count indictment of Mayor Adams will affect the presidential race remains to be seen. Nationally, the epic smackdown between former President Donald Trump, the Republican nominee, and Vice President Kamala Harris, who emerged as Democratic nominee just weeks ago, has dominated discussion. 

So it may be that the unprecedented drama in New York – the first-ever indictment of a sitting mayor in the Big Apple, America’s largest city – remains a largely regional issue. 

Why We Wrote This

The corruption indictment against Mayor Eric Adams of New York City is a blow to Democrats right before the November elections. Could it have ripple effects on the presidential campaign or congressional races?

But even there, a local impact could have national implications. The race for control of the U.S. House, with Republicans currently holding a narrow majority, will hinge on just a few races. One of them happens to be on Long Island.

“Voters across the country are not usually surprised by corruption in big-city politics,” says veteran New York Democratic strategist Alex Navarro-McKay. But, he adds, there could be “very modest effects on the congressional races in the New York City media market.” 

Mr. Navarro-McKay is referring to the closely contested 4th Congressional District race in Long Island, where GOP Rep. Anthony D’Esposito is under investigation for ethics violations

Brendan McDermid/Reuters

Anthony D’Esposito, a Republican member of Congress from Long Island, speaks at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Uniondale, New York, Sept. 18, 2024. He is in a tight race that will help determine control of the U.S. House of Representatives.

The strategist says that while Republicans don’t seem bothered by former President Trump’s business fraud and sexual misconduct convictions in New York City, the legal troubles have made a dent with independent voters and some Democrats. But as for New York City’s mayor, he adds, “I don’t think voters in Michigan care about Eric Adams,” referring to a key presidential battleground state.

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