Eric Adams Bows Out of NYC Mayoral Race
Is this another Chapter in
the Ghosting of Black Political Power?
By Kamau Austin, Co-publisher of the Southeast Queens Scoop
New York City Mayor Eric Adams has announced he will not seek re-election, marking a dramatic turn in the city’s political landscape. While Adams cited fundraising difficulties, relentless media speculation, and the fallout from a now-dismissed federal corruption case, many observers see this moment as part of a larger, troubling pattern: the erosion of Black political power in America’s highest offices.
There seems to be a pattern emerging that could be construed as a playbook. Black political leaders of prominence — from Marilyn Mosby in Baltimore to Attorney General Letitia James in New York, from Fani Willis in Atlanta to economist Lisa Cook on the Federal Reserve — have all faced legal, political, or media challenges that severely undercut their ability to lead. These challenges, often amplified by mainstream legacy outlets, echo an earlier era when Mayor David Dinkins, New York’s first Black mayor, was relentlessly attacked in the press, shaping negative public perception that ultimately derailed his career.
Critics argue that while Black leaders are aggressively pursued over questionable or relatively minor allegations — from property purchases to personal relationships — others, including our President with more than 35 legal judgments, continue to thrive politically. The disparity raises urgent questions about double standards in both media coverage and legal scrutiny.
In Adams’ case, despite the dismissal of federal charges, the stigma lingered. Combined with hostile coverage from outlets such as the New York Post and Fox News, the public narrative shifted decisively against him. The result was political isolation, dwindling donor support, and, ultimately, his withdrawal from the race.
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The implications extend beyond one man’s career. Adams elevated Black professionals into senior city positions, expanded opportunities for Black women, and women in his administration and also worked to ensure minority-owned firms gained access to city contracts. His departure raises concerns that these gains may be rolled back under future leadership.
Across the country, parallel developments are hard to ignore. Gerrymandering in GOP-led states, the use of ICE and federal troops in majority-Black cities, and sustained media hostility all reinforce the perception of a coordinated effort to weaken Black political influence. Whether by coincidence or design, the cumulative effect is a hollowing out of Black power at the local, state, and national levels.
Eric Adams’ decision not to seek re-election is thus more than a local political story. It forces the question: is this simply the rough and tumble of politics, or is it another chapter in the systematic ghosting of Black political power in America?
About Kamau Austin, is the award winning Publisher of the Black News Scoop, The Southeast Queens Scoop, and Scoop Publications, a division of AMS Digital Media. He is a long time activist, entrepreneur, podcaster, and author.
Austin has also been featured in Black Enterprise, Fortune Magazine Small Business, CNN, radio, cable, and countless newspapers and blog sites.
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Posted by community events coordinator, Nzinga Lonstein Austin, is a prolific blogger who writes on the entertainment industry and issues for people with developmental and physical challenges.She is presently in high school looking to have a career in video, film, and media. You can see more of her entertainment writing on Lonstein Movies.
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