Could Adams actually lose? The short answer is yes, even if it’s historically difficult to oust an incumbent mayor. Adams only managed to win the 2021 Democratic primary by fewer than 10,000 votes. Kathryn Garcia almost became mayor, and a large swath of the city also voted for Maya Wiley, the leading progressive candidate.
And yet centrists everywhere acted like it was a landslide victory demonstrating a new mold for Democrats nationwide.