Several unions representing NYPD and Department of Correction employees are set to endorse Mayor Adams’ independent bid for reelection this week, the first high-profile labor support he’s lined up in his reelection bid.
In an email sent to union members and obtained by the Daily News, the Detectives’ Endowment Association, one of the police department’s three major organized labor groups, wrote it’ll be holding a press conference at City Hall on Thursday afternoon to officially throw its weight behind Adams’ reelection effort.
In the email, DEA leaders wrote the news conference is meant to display “uniformed forces and public sector union support” for Adams. The backing offers a boost to Adams as he faces an uphill climb to a second term.
“We are looking for your support!” the union wrote. “Please feel free to bring as many members as possible to show the mayor, the press and the public that Adams is our choice to continue to lead the city.”
According to sources familiar with the matter, reps for the Correction Officers’ Benevolent Association, the DOC’s rank-and-file union, will join DEA at the press conference to endorse Adams.
The DOC’s Correction Captains’ Association will join in on endorsing Adams, too, as will the unions representing DOC assistant deputy wardens and deputy wardens.
The NYPD’s largest union, the Police Benevolent Association, is not expected to participate in endorsing Adams on Thursday, according to a rep. The rep said the PBA has its own endorsement protocols and doesn’t plan to join any coalition.
A spokesman for Adams’ reelection campaign didn’t immediately return requests for comment.
Several of New York City’s largest public sector labor groups, including DC 37, the city’s largest municipal union, have endorsed Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic nominee for mayor who’s polling as the favorite to win November’s election.
Adams, who continues to face political fallout from his federal corruption indictment and relationship with President Trump, is running against Mamdani on an independent ballot line in November. Depsite his incumbency, he hasn’t secured many high-profile endorsement as polling shows he remains unpopular among most New York City voters.
The boost from the cop and correction unions comes as Adams is scrambling to mount a genuine campaign against Mamdani.
Ex-Gov. Andrew Cuomo is also running on an independent line against Mamdani in the November race, as is attorney Jim Walden. Republican mayoral nominee Curtis Sliwa will be on the ballot, too.
