Most NYC Residents Call for Adams’ Resignation Amid Federal Indictment

New York City Mayor Eric Adams is facing increasing calls to step down as a growing majority of residents believe he has committed illegal actions. The federal indictment charges have sparked widespread dissatisfaction, with nearly seven in ten New Yorkers now urging Adams to resign.

Resignation and Removal Sentiment Rising

A significant 69% of New York City residents, including 71% of Democrats, believe Adams should resign from his position. However, 30% still think the mayor should complete his term. If Adams does not voluntarily step down, 63% of New Yorkers say that Governor Kathy Hochul should intervene to begin the process of removing him from office. In contrast, 36% of residents believe Hochul should not take such steps.

Perception of Illegal Activity

The indictment has severely damaged Adams’ reputation, with 65% of city residents, including 68% of Democrats, convinced that he engaged in illegal conduct. Additionally, 24% believe he did something unethical but not illegal, while only 8% think the mayor did nothing wrong.

Widespread Awareness of Indictment

Public awareness of the charges is high. 72% of residents report hearing a significant amount about the federal indictment against Mayor Adams, while only 28% say they have heard little to nothing about the case.

Approval Ratings Hit New Low

Adams’ job approval rating has plummeted to just 26%, with 74% of residents expressing disapproval of his performance. This marks a sharp decline from November 2023, when his approval rating stood at 37%. Only 11% strongly approve of the job Adams is doing, while 47% strongly disapprove.

2025 Re-Election Prospects Dim

The indictment has virtually eliminated Adams’ chances of winning re-election in 2025. A staggering 81% of residents, including 80% of Democrats, do not want him to run for another term. Only 18% believe he should pursue re-election.

Mixed Reactions to Cuomo’s Potential Bid for Mayor

Attention has also turned to former Governor Andrew Cuomo, but his potential mayoral bid is met with mixed reactions. 55% of New Yorkers oppose Cuomo running for mayor, while 44% support the idea. Democrats are sharply divided, with 52% opposing a Cuomo bid and 48% supporting it.

Methodology

This Marist Poll surveyed 1,073 New York City adults between September 30th and October 1st, 2024. Participants aged 18 and older were contacted via text or online, and the survey was available in both English and Spanish. The margin of error is ±3.6 percentage points for all adults and ±3.8 percentage points for registered voters.