2021 New York City Democratic mayoral primary

The Democratic Party primary for the 2021 New York City mayoral election took place on June 22, 2021. Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams defeated 12 other candidates, including Kathryn Garcia, Maya Wiley, and Andrew Yang. Adams went on to defeat Republican Curtis Sliwa and other candidates in the November 2, 2021 general election.

2021 New York City Democratic mayoral primary

← 2017
June 22, 2021
2025 →
 
Candidate Eric Adams Kathryn Garcia Maya Wiley
First round 289,403
(30.7%)
184,463
(19.6%)
201,193
(21.4%)
Final round 404,513
(50.4%)
397,316
(49.6%)
Eliminated

 
Candidate Andrew Yang Scott Stringer
First round 115,130
(12.2%)
51,778
(5.5%)
Final round Eliminated Eliminated


Previous Democratic nominee

Bill de Blasio

Democratic nominee

Eric Adams

The New York City Board of Elections was substantially criticized for its handling of the race, the first after New York's initial implementation of ranked-choice voting (RCV). A week after election day, the Board announced a discrepancy in the initial results, posting in a tweet that approximately 135,000 additional votes, originating from a test run, had been added to the total count.

Background

In 2019, New York City voters passed Ballot Question #1 to amend the City Charter to "give voters the choice of ranking up to five candidates in primary and special elections for mayor, public advocate, comptroller, borough president, and city council beginning in January 2021". The first election in the city to use ranked-choice voting was in the 24th council district in Queens, which took place on February 2, 2021, though the first ranked-choice election with multiple rounds was held in the 31st council district in Queens on February 23. The 2021 mayoral primaries were the first New York City mayoral election primaries to use ranked-choice voting.

In 2019, journalists and political commentators predicted several potential candidates, including Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams, Bronx Borough President Rubén Díaz Jr., NYC Council Speaker Corey Johnson, NYC Comptroller Scott Stringer, and NYC Public Advocate Jumaane Williams. All of the preceding candidates ended up joining the mayoral race with the exception of Williams, who instead decided to run for re-election as Public Advocate. Additionally, Díaz Jr. and Johnson dropped out before the primary election, with Johnson instead deciding to run for Comptroller.

Candidates

Major candidates

The following candidates (listed alphabetically) appear on the Democratic primary ballot and have held office, have been included in polls, or have been the subject of significant media coverage.

Democratic primary candidates
Candidate Experience Announced Withdrew Ref

Eric Adams
Brooklyn Borough President (2014–2021)
Former NY State Senator from the 20th district (2007–2013)
Former NYPD captain
November 17, 2020

(Website Archived 2021-12-01 at the Wayback Machine)
N/a

Shaun Donovan
Former Director of the US Office of Management and Budget (2014–2017)
Former US Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (2009–2014)
Former Commissioner of the NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development (2004–2008)
February 3, 2020

(Website Archived 2021-06-23 at the Wayback Machine)
N/a

Kathryn Garcia
Former Commissioner of the NYC Department of Sanitation (2014–2020)
Former Interim Chair and CEO of the NYC Housing Authority (2019)
Former Chief Operating Officer of the NYC Department of Environmental Protection (2012–2014)
December 10, 2020

(Website Archived 2021-01-21 at the Wayback Machine)
July 7, 2021

Raymond McGuire
Former Citigroup executive October 15, 2020

(Website Archived 2021-10-14 at the Wayback Machine)
June 29, 2021


Dianne Morales
Former social services non-profit CEO
Former teacher
November 19, 2020

Dianne Morales
(Website Archived 2021-01-25 at the Wayback Machine)
July 2, 2021

Scott Stringer
NYC Comptroller (2014–2021)
Former Manhattan Borough President (2006–2013)
Former NY State Assemblymember for the 67th district (1993–2005)
September 8, 2020

(Website Archived 2024-09-07 at the Wayback Machine)
June 27, 2021

Maya Wiley
The New School professor
Former chair of the NYC Civilian Complaint Review Board (2016–2017)
Former counsel to Bill de Blasio
Former ACLU and NAACP Legal Defense Fund attorney
October 8, 2020
(Website Archived 2021-02-11 at the Wayback Machine)
July 7, 2021

Andrew Yang
Candidate for President of the United States in 2020
Former Presidential Ambassador for Global Entrepreneurship (2015–2017)
Founder of Venture for America
January 13, 2021

(Website Archived 2024-09-04 at the Wayback Machine)
June 22, 2021

Other candidates qualifying for the ballot

  • Art Chang, former JPMorgan Chase managing director, founder of NYC Votes
  • Aaron Foldenauer, attorney
  • Paperboy Love Prince, Brooklyn rapper
  • Joycelyn Taylor, CEO of TaylorMade Contracting
  • Isaac Wright Jr., lawyer

Write-in candidates who did not qualify for ballot access

  • Eddie Cullen, tech entrepreneur and professor at Purdue University
  • Ävatar Daví, tech entrepreneur and artist
  • Thomas Downs, restaurant worker
  • Guiddalia Emilien, real estate agent and small business owner
  • Garry Guerrier, paramedic and nurse
  • Max Kaplan, director of social media at Talent Resources
  • Ira Seidman, data scientist
  • Ahsan Syed, candidate for Mayor in 2017

Withdrawn candidates

  • Michael DeName, former independent US presidential candidate
  • Rubén Díaz Jr., Bronx Borough President (2009–present), former NY State Assemblymember (1997–2009) (endorsed Eric Adams)
  • Quanda S. Francis, president of Sykes Capital Management (withdrew to run as an independent)
  • Zach Iscol, entrepreneur, United States Marine Corps veteran (running for NYC Comptroller; lost election)
  • Corey Johnson, Speaker of the NYC Council (2018–present), NYC Councilmember for the 3rd district (2014–present) (running for NYC Comptroller; lost election)
  • Carlos Menchaca, NYC Councilmember for Brooklyn's 38th district (2013–present) (endorsed Andrew Yang)
  • Julia Qing Reaves, LGBT+ activist
  • Stephen Bishop Seely, actor
  • Loree Sutton, former Commissioner of the NYC Department of Veterans' Services (2017–2019), former US Army brigadier general (endorsed Kathryn Garcia)

Declined

  • Andy Byford, former president of the NYC Transit Authority (2018–2020)
  • Melinda Katz, Queens County District Attorney (2020–present), Queens Borough President (2014–2020), NYC Councilmember for the 29th district (2002–2009), NY State Assemblymember for the 28th district (1994–1999)
  • Melissa Mark-Viverito, former NYC Council Speaker (2014–2017)
  • Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, US Representative for New York's 14th congressional district (2019–present) (endorsed Maya Wiley)
  • Christine Quinn, former NYC Council Speaker (2006–2013)
  • Max Rose, former US Representative for New York's 11th congressional district (2019–2021) (formed exploratory committee but did not run)
  • Ritchie Torres, US Representative for New York's 15th congressional district (2021–present) (endorsed Andrew Yang)
  • Jumaane Williams, NYC Public Advocate (2019–present), former NYC Councilmember for the 45th district (2010–2019) (running for re-election as NYC Public Advocate) (endorsed Maya Wiley)
  • Jeff Zucker, chairman of Warner Media News & Sports (2019–present)

Campaign

Early months

Polling in late January and early February showed businessman Andrew Yang as the frontrunner, with Adams in second and Stringer in third place. As of January 20, 2021, of the major declared candidates, New York City councilmember Carlos Menchaca and former Commissioner of the NYC Dept. of Veterans' Services Loree Sutton were considered the weakest candidates and most likely to drop out, as both of them posted very poor fundraising numbers. Sutton withdrew from the race on March 10, 2021 and Menchaca withdrew on March 24, 2021. By the middle of March, three candidates, Stringer, Dianne Morales, and Maya Wiley, were widely considered to be the chief competitors for the progressive vote. In April, Yang faced criticism when he appeared on a video by Comedian Lawrence Reese in which he appeared to laugh when Reese asked him if he "choked bitches".

Stringer sexual assault allegations

In April, Stringer, who was generally polling in third-place, was accused of sexual abuse by Jean Kim, who claimed that Stringer had forcibly kissed and groped her when she worked on his 2001 campaign for Public Advocate. Fellow candidates Morales, Adams, Yang, and Raymond McGuire condemned the acts in the allegation; while candidates Wiley, Kathryn Garcia, and Shaun Donovan called for him to drop out. Stringer denied the allegations, claiming that the relationship had been consensual. In June, a second woman accused him of sexual misconduct in 1992.

Debates

The first debate in the Democratic primary was sponsored by the Brooklyn Democratic Party and held on January 31, 2021. Eight candidates participated: Adams, former director of the US Office of Management and Budget Shaun Donovan, former commissioner of the NYC Dept. of Sanitation Kathryn Garcia, businessman Raymond McGuire, Stringer, Sutton, former counsel to Bill de Blasio Maya Wiley, and Yang. Former non-profit CEO Dianne Morales boycotted the debate following comments perceived as sinophobic by a former Brooklyn Democratic Party official.

The second debate took place on May 13, 2021. It was organized by the New York City Campaign Finance Board (CFB) and sponsored by NY1. Eight candidates met the CFB's qualifications to participate in the debate. Those who participated were Adams, Donovan, Garcia, McGuire, Morales, Stringer, Wiley, and Yang.

The third debate was held on June 2, 2021. It was organized by the CFB and sponsored by ABC 7. Eight candidates met the CFB's qualifications to participate in the debate. Those who participated were Adams, Donovan, Garcia, McGuire, Morales, Stringer, Wiley, and Yang.

The fourth debate was held on June 10, 2021, and sponsored by CBS 2. Five candidates participated: Adams, Garcia, Stringer, Wiley, and Yang. Adams initially announced that he would skip the debate but later opted to attend.

The fifth and final debate of the Democratic primary took place on June 16, 2021. It was organized by the CFB and was sponsored by NBC 4. Eight candidates met the CFB's qualifications and were required to participate: Adams, Donovan, Garcia, McGuire, Morales, Stringer, Wiley, and Yang.

2021 New York City mayoral election Democratic primary debates
No. Date Host Moderator Link Participants
Key:
 P  Participant   A  Absent   N  Non-invitee   I  Invitee  W  Withdrawn
Eric Adams Shaun Donovan Kathryn Garcia Raymond McGuire Dianne Morales Scott Stringer Loree Sutton Maya Wiley Andrew Yang
1 Feb. 1, 2021 Kings County
Democratic Committee
Errol Louis Video P P P P A P P P P
2 May 13, 2021 John Jay College
of Criminal Justice

NYC Votes
NY1
Brian Lehrer
Errol Louis
Josefa Velasquez
Video P P P P P P W P P
3 Jun. 2, 2021 ABC 7
League of Women
Voters NYC
NAACP NYS
NYC Votes
Bill Ritter
Dave Evans
Yisel Tejada
Video P P P P P P W P P
4 Jun. 10, 2021 CBS 2 Maurice DuBois
Marcia Kramer
Video P N P N N P W P P
5 Jun. 16, 2021 NBC 4
Politico
NYC Votes
Sally Goldenberg
Melissa Russo
David Ushery
Allan Villafana
Video P P P P P P W P P

Closing weeks

On May 5, 2021, Politico reported that a recent poll found that Eric Adams was leading the Democratic primary contest; this marked the first time since January that any Democratic candidate other than Yang had led in a public poll. On June 7, Spectrum News reported that Adams had maintained a lead in the Democratic primary.

In early May, Donovan and McGuire were characterized as being out of touch with everyday New Yorkers for greatly underestimating the median cost of a home in Brooklyn. In late May, Yang, who lives in Hell's Kitchen, faced some ridicule for answering that Times Square was his favorite subway station; the response was seen as akin to that of a tourist. Yang was also criticized as being out of touch when he appeared before the Stonewall Democrats of New York City for an endorsement screening, in which he appeared to point to his gay colleagues and supporter on the basis of their gender and sexuality rather than why they were important to him. Later in May, Morales's campaign lost three senior staff members amid allegations of a poor workplace culture and union-busting. Morales's campaign lost some endorsements and support.

In June, due to ongoing rumors that he lived in New Jersey, Eric Adams invited reporters to Bedford-Stuyvesant to tour an apartment that he claimed was his residence.

Yang asked his supporters to rank Garcia second, though she did not make a similar request of hers. Adams claimed the alliance was an attempt to disenfranchise Black and Latino voters, a claim that Garcia and Yang disputed, with rivals and officials such as Wiley and Williams claiming that Adams was using race in order to undermine confidence in the election.

Endorsements

Eric Adams

US Representatives

  • Adriano Espaillat, US Representative from New York's 13th congressional district (2017–present) (previously endorsed Stringer)
  • Hakeem Jeffries, US Representative from New York's 8th congressional district (2013–present), Chair of the House Democratic Caucus (2019–2023) (second choice)
  • Sean Patrick Maloney, US Representative from New York's 18th congressional district (2013–2023), Chair of the House of Representatives Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (2021–2023)
  • Gregory Meeks, US Representative from New York's 5th congressional district (2013–present), Chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee (2021–present), US Representative from New York's 6th congressional district (1998–2013), NY State Assemblymember for the 31st district (1993–1998) (second choice)
  • Thomas Suozzi, US Representative from New York's 3rd congressional district (2017–2023), County Executive of Nassau County (2002–2009)
  • Ritchie Torres, US Representative from New York's 15th congressional district (2021–present), NYC Councilmember (2014–2020) (second choice)

State legislators

  • Peter J. Abbate Jr., NY State Assemblymember for the 49th district (1987–present)
  • Joseph Addabbo Jr., NY State Senator for the 15th district (2009–present)
  • Stacey Pheffer Amato, NY State Assemblymember for the 23rd district (2017–present)
  • Jamaal Bailey, NY State Senator for the 36th district (2017–present), Chair of the Bronx County Democratic Committee (2020–present)
  • Carmen De La Rosa, NY State Assemblymember for the 72nd district (2017–present)
  • Inez Dickens, NY State Assemblymember for the 70th district (2017–present)
  • Erik Dilan, NY State Assemblymember for the 54th district (2015–present)
  • Charles Fall, NY State Assemblymember for the 61st district (2019–present) (co-endorsed with Donovan)
  • Andrew Gounardes, NY State Senator for the 22nd district (2019–present)
  • Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn, NY State Assemblymember for the 42nd district (2015–present), Chair of the Kings County Democratic Committee (2020–present)
  • Alicia Hyndman, NY State Assemblymember for the 29th district (2016–present)
  • Roxanne Persaud, NY State Senator for the 19th district (2015–present)
  • Jenifer Rajkumar, NY State Assemblymember for the 38th district (2021–present)
  • José Rivera, NY State Assemblymember for the 78th district (2001–present)
  • James Sanders Jr., NY State Senator for the 10th district (2013–present)
  • Diane Savino, NY State Senator for the 23rd district (2005–present) (first choice)
  • Clyde Vanel, NY State Assemblymember for the 33rd district (2017–present)
  • Jaime Williams, NY State Assemblymember for the 59th district (2016–present)

Local officials

  • Adrienne Adams, NYC Councilmember (2017–present)
  • Alicka Ampry-Samuel, NYC Councilmember (2018–present)
  • Diana Ayala, NYC Councilmember (2018–present)
  • Justin Brannan, NYC Councilmember (2018–present)
  • Selvena Brooks-Powers, NYC Councilmember (2021–present)
  • Laurie Cumbo, NYC Councilmember (2014–present)
  • Darma Diaz, NYC Councilmember (2021–present)
  • Rubén Díaz Jr., Borough President of The Bronx (2009–present), former NY State Assemblymember for the 85th district (2003–2009) & 75th district (1997–2002)
  • Oswald Feliz, NYC Councilmember (2021–present)
  • Peter Koo, NYC Councilmember (2010–present)
  • Karen Koslowitz, NYC Councilmember (2010–present)
  • Farah Louis, NYC Councilmember (2019–present)
  • Alan Maisel, NYC Councilmember (2014–present)
  • Daneek Miller, NYC Councilmember (2014–present)
  • Francisco Moya, NYC Councilmember (2018–present)
  • Donovan Richards, Borough President of Queens (2020–present), NYC Councilmember (2014–2020)
  • Kevin Riley, NYC Councilmember (2021–present)
  • Ydanis Rodríguez, NYC Councilmember (2010–present)
  • Debi Rose, NYC Councilmember (2010–present)
  • Rafael Salamanca, NYC Councilmember (2016–present)

Individuals

  • Ottis Anderson, former professional football player for the New York Giants and Super Bowl XXV MVP
  • Karim Camara, former NY State Assemblymember for the 43rd district (2005–2015)
  • Fernando Ferrer, Vice Chairman of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, 2005 Democratic nominee for Mayor, former Borough President of The Bronx (1987–2001)
  • Taj Gibson, professional basketball player
  • Dwight Gooden, former professional baseball all-star player for the New York Mets
  • Aurelia Greene, former NY State Assemblymember for the 77th district (1982–2009)
  • Larry Holmes, former professional boxer
  • Ed Kranepool, former professional baseball all-star player for the New York Mets
  • Abner Louima, activist and victim of police violence in 1997 by NYPD
  • Carl McCall, former NY State Comptroller (1993–2002), former NY State Senator for the 28th district (1975–1980)
  • David Paterson, 55th Governor of New York (2008–2010), former Lieutenant Governor of New York (2007–2008), former State Senator (1985–2006)
  • Charles Rangel, former US Representative from New York's 13th congressional district (1971–2017)
  • Norman Siegel, attorney and former executive director of the New York Civil Liberties Union
  • Aaron Teitelbaum, one of two Grand Rebbes of Satmar
  • Edolphus Towns, former US Representative from New York's 10th congressional district (1983–2013)
  • Angela Yee, radio personality

Organizations

  • Citizens Union (second choice)
  • Vulcan Society

Labor unions

  • Amalgamated Transit Union Local 726-Staten Island, Local 1056-Flushing, Local 1179-Queens, Local 1181
  • Civil Service Employees Association Local 1000
  • District Council 37
  • Council of Hotel Workers and Trades Professionals
  • New York City District Council of Carpenters
  • New York State Court Officers Association
  • New York State Nurses Association (second choice)
  • Office and Professional Employees International Union Local 153
  • Public Employees Federation
  • Service Employees International Union Local 32BJ
  • Transport Workers Union Local 100
  • Uniformed Fire Officers Association
  • UNITE HERE Local 100

Newspapers

  • The Chief-Leader (second choice)
  • El Especialito
  • The Irish Echo
  • The Jewish Press
  • Jewish Voice
  • New York Daily News (second choice)
  • Our Time Press
  • Queens Chronicle
Shaun Donovan

US Senators

  • John Hickenlooper, US Senator from Colorado (2021–present), Governor of Colorado (2011–2019), Mayor of Denver (2003–2011)

State legislators

  • Michael Benedetto, NY State Assemblymember for the 82nd district (2005–present)
  • Charles Fall, NY State Assemblymember for the 61st district (2019–present) (co-endorsed with Adams)

Local officials

  • Fernando Cabrera, NYC Councilmember (2010–present) (second choice)

Individuals

  • Jay Carney, former White House Press Secretary (2011–2014)
  • Manny Diaz, former mayor of Miami (2001–2009)
  • Anthony Foxx, former US Secretary of Transportation (2013–2017), former mayor of Charlotte (2009–2013)
  • Mitch Landrieu, former mayor of New Orleans (2010–2018)
  • Edward Norton, actor
  • Michael Nutter, former mayor of Philadelphia (2008–2016)
  • Ashley Swearengin, former mayor of Fresno (2009–2017) (Republican)

Organizations

  • 314 Action
Kathryn Garcia

US Representatives

  • Grace Meng, US Representative from New York's 6th congressional district (2013–present), vice chair of the Democratic National Committee (2017–2021) (second choice)
  • Nydia Velázquez, US Representative from New York's 7th congressional district (1993–present) (second choice)

State legislators

  • Liz Krueger, NY State Senator for the 26th district (2002–2012) & 28th district (2013–present)
  • Catherine Nolan, NY State Assemblymember for the 37th district (1985–present)
  • Daniel J. O'Donnell, NY State Assemblymember for the 69th district (2003–present)
  • Nily Rozic, NY State Assemblymember for the 25th district (2013–present) (previously endorsed Stringer)
  • Diane Savino, NY State Senator (second choice)

Individuals

  • Costa Constantinides, former NYC Councilmember (2014–2021) (second choice)
  • Clark Gregg, actor
  • Loree Sutton, former Commissioner of the NYC Department of Veterans’ Service (2017–2019), retired US Army Brigadier General

Organizations

  • Citizens Union (first choice)
  • League of Conservation Voters New York affiliate

Labor unions

  • SEIU Local 246, Local 444 – Sanitation Officers Association
  • Teamsters Local 813, Local 831

Newspapers

  • New York Daily News (first choice)
  • The New York Times
Raymond McGuire

US Representatives

  • Gregory Meeks, US Representative from New York's 5th congressional district (2013–present), Chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee (2021–present), US Representative from New York's 6th congressional district (1998–2013), NY State Assemblymember for the 31st district (1993–1998) (first choice)

State legislators

  • Leroy Comrie, NY State Senator for the 14th district (2015–present)
  • Vivian E. Cook, NY State Assemblymember for the 32nd district (1991–present)
  • Robert J. Rodriguez, NY State Assemblymember for the 68th district (2011–present)

Individuals

  • Tiki Barber, former football player
  • Gwen Carr, activist, author, and mother of Eric Garner
  • Sean Combs, rapper and record executive
  • Patrick Ewing, former basketball player
  • Steve Israel, former US Representative from New York's 3rd congressional district (2001–2017)
  • Samuel L. Jackson, actor
  • Valerie Jarrett, former director of the Office of Public Engagement and Intergovernmental Affairs (2009–2017), former Senior Advisor to the President (2009–2017)
  • Jay-Z, rapper and record executive
  • Spike Lee, filmmaker and actor
  • LL Cool J, rapper
  • Steve Martin, actor
  • Nas, rapper
  • Charles Oakley, former basketball player
  • Charles Phillips, businessman
  • Joseph Simmons, rapper

Organizations

  • Stonewall Democratic Club of New York City (third choice)

Labor unions

  • New York State Nurses Association (first choice)

Newspapers

  • New York Daily News (third choice)
Dianne Morales

State legislators

  • Jabari Brisport, NY State Senator for the 25th district (2021–present) (first choice)
  • Harvey Epstein, NY State Assemblymember for the 74th district (2018–present)
  • Jessica González-Rojas, NY State Assemblymember for the 34th district (2021–present)
  • Marcela Mitaynes, NY State Assemblymember for the 51st district (2021–present)
  • Gustavo Rivera, NY State Senator for the 33rd district (2011–present)

Local officials

Organizations

  • Stonewall Democratic Club of New York City (second choice)
  • Sunrise Movement NYC
  • Working Families Party

Labor unions

  • Professional Staff Congress (second choice)
  • United Auto Workers Region 9A (second choice)

Notes

  1. Withdrawn after allegations against Morales's campaign surfaced
  2. Previously second choice to Stringer, then first choice after allegations of sexual assault against Stringer surfaced, then withdrawn after allegations against Morales's campaign surfaced
  3. Previously co-endorsed with Stringer, changed to sole endorsement after allegations of sexual assault against Stringer surfaced, then withdrawn after allegations against Morales's campaign surfaced
  4. Previously second choice to Stringer, changed to co-endorsement with Wiley after allegations of sexual assault against Stringer surfaced, then withdrawn after allegations against Morales's campaign surfaced
Scott Stringer

US Representatives

  • Jamaal Bowman, US Representative from New York's 16th congressional district (2021–present)
  • Adriano Espaillat, US Representative from New York's 13th congressional district (2017–present)
  • Jerry Nadler, US Representative from New York's 10th congressional district (1992–present)

State legislators

  • Alessandra Biaggi, NY State Senator for the 34th district (2019–present)
  • Jabari Brisport, NY State Senator for the 25th district (2021–present)
  • Robert Carroll, NY State Assemblymember for the 44th district
  • Catalina Cruz, NY State Assemblymember for the 39th district (2019–present)
  • Maritza Davila, NY State Assemblymember for the 53rd district (2013–present)
  • Carmen De La Rosa, NY State Assemblymember for the 72nd district (2017–present), 2021 candidate for NYC Councilmember
  • Mathylde Frontus, NY State Assemblymember for the 46th district (2018–present)
  • Richard N. Gottfried, NY State Assemblymember for the 75th district (1971–present)
  • Robert Jackson, NY State Senator for the 31st district (2019–present)
  • Brian P. Kavanagh, NY State Senator for the 26th district (2017–present)
  • Yuh-Line Niou, NY State Assemblymember for the 65th district (2017–present)
  • N. Nick Perry, NY State Assemblymember for the 58th district (1993–present)
  • Jessica Ramos, NY State Senator for the 13th district (2019–present)
  • Diana Richardson, NY State Assemblymember for the 43rd district (2015–present)
  • Gustavo Rivera, NY State Senator for the 33rd district (2011–present)
  • Linda Rosenthal, NY State Assemblymember for the 67th district (2006–present)
  • Nily Rozic, NY State Assemblymember for the 25th district (2013–present)
  • Julia Salazar, NY State Senator for the 18th district (2019–present)
  • Rebecca Seawright, NY State Assemblymember for the 76th district (2015–present)
  • Amanda Septimo, NY State Assemblymember for the 84th district (2021–present)
  • José M. Serrano, NY State Senator for the 29th district (2005–present)
  • Al Taylor, NY State Assemblymember for the 71st district (2017–present)

Local officials

  • Diana Ayala, NYC Councilmember (2018–present)
  • Mark Levine, NYC Councilmember (2014–present)
  • Jimmy Van Bramer, NYC Councilmember (2010–present)

Individuals

  • Costa Constantinides, former NYC Councilmember (2014–2021) (first choice)
  • Phil Goldfeder, former NY State Assemblymember for the 23rd district (2011–2016)
  • Scarlett Johansson, actress
  • Bill McKibben, environmental activist
  • Ruth Messinger, former Borough President of Manhattan (1990–1998)

Organizations

  • Citizens Union (third choice)
  • Food & Water Action
  • New York Communities for Change
  • Stonewall Democratic Club of New York City (first choice) (voted on May 5, 2021 to withdraw endorsement after sexual assault allegations against Stringer surfaced but failed to get 2/3 majority)
  • Sunrise Movement NYC
  • Working Families Party

Labor unions

Notes

  1. Withdrawn after sexual assault allegations against Stringer surfaced
  2. Previously second choice, withdrawn after sexual assault allegations against Stringer surfaced
  3. Previously co-endorsed with Morales, withdrawn after sexual assault allegations against Stringer surfaced
Loree Sutton (withdrew)

Individuals

  • Kenneth Fisher, businessman
Maya Wiley

US Senators

  • Elizabeth Warren, US Senator from Massachusetts (2013–present)

US Representatives

  • Jamaal Bowman, US Representative from New York's 16th congressional district (2021–present) (previously endorsed Stringer)
  • Yvette Clarke, US Representative from New York's 9th congressional district (2006–present)
  • Hakeem Jeffries, US Representative from New York's 8th congressional district (2013–present), Chair of the House Democratic Caucus (2019–present) (first choice)
  • Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, US Representative from New York's 14th congressional district (2019–present)
  • Nydia Velázquez, US Representative from New York's 7th congressional district (1993–present)
  • Katie Porter, US Representative from California's 45th congressional district (2019–present)

State legislators

  • Khaleel Anderson, NY State Assemblymember for the 31st district (2020–present)
  • Jeffrion L. Aubry, NY State Assemblymember for the 35th district (1992–present)
  • Maritza Davila, NY State Assemblymember for the 53rd district (2013–present) (previously endorsed Stringer)
  • Emily Gallagher, NY State Assemblymember for the 50th district (2021–present)
  • Michael Gianaris, NY State Senator for the 12th district (2011–present)
  • Deborah Glick, NY State Assemblymember for the 66th district (1991–present)
  • Latoya Joyner, NY State Assemblymember for the 77th district (2015–present)
  • Julia Salazar, NY State Senator for the 18th district (2019–present) (previously endorsed Stringer)

Local officials

  • Stephen Levin, NYC Councilmember (2010–present)
  • Helen Rosenthal, NYC Councilmember (2016–present)
  • Jumaane Williams, New York City Public Advocate (2019–present), NYC Councilmember (2010–2019)

Individuals

  • Tichina Arnold, actress
  • Michael Blake, former NY State Assemblymember for the 79th district (2015–2021)
  • Yvette Nicole Brown, actress
  • Julian Castro, former HUD Secretary (2014–2017), former Mayor of San Antonio (2009–2014), former San Antonio City Council member (2001–2005)
  • Chris Evans, actor
  • Jonathan Frakes, actor and director
  • Kathy Griffin, comedian and actress
  • Melissa Harris-Perry, writer, television host, and political commentator
  • Alyssa Milano, actress
  • Rosie O'Donnell, comedian and actress
  • Patton Oswalt, actor
  • The Strokes, rock band
  • Gabrielle Union, actress
  • James Vacca, former NYC Councilmember (2006–2017)

Organizations

  • Democracy for America
  • EMILY's List
  • Freelancers Union (co-endorsed with Yang)
  • Our Revolution
  • Working Families Party (previously third choice to Stringer and Morales, changed to co-endorsement with Morales after allegations of sexual assault against Stringer surfaced, then changed to first place after allegations against Morales's campaign surfaced)

Labor unions

  • Service Employees International Union Local 1199
Isaac Wright Jr.

Individuals

  • Fat Joe, rapper and actor
  • 50 Cent, rapper, television producer, and actor
Andrew Yang

US Representatives

  • Grace Meng, US Representative from New York's 6th congressional district (2013–present), vice chair of the Democratic National Committee (2017–2021)
  • Ritchie Torres, US Representative from New York's 15th congressional district (2021–present), NYC Councilmember (2014–2020) (first choice)

State legislators

  • Kenny Burgos, NY State Assemblymember for the 85th district (2020–present)
  • Jeremy Cooney, NY State Senator for the 58th district (2021–present)
  • Michael Cusick, NY State Assemblymember for the 63rd district (2003–present), chair of the Richmond County Democratic Committee (2019–present)
  • Simcha Eichenstein, NY State Assemblymember for the 48th district (2019–present)
  • Ron Kim, NY State Assemblymember for the 40th district (2013–present)
  • John Liu, NY State Senator for the 11th district (2019–present), former NYC Comptroller (2010–2013), former NYC Councilmember (2002–2009)
  • Daniel Rosenthal, NY State Assemblymember for the 27th district (2017–present)
  • Toby Ann Stavisky, NY State Senator for the 16th district (1999–present)
  • Maritza Davila, NY State Assemblymember (2013–present) (second choice)

Local officials

  • Margaret Chin, NYC Councilmember (2010–present)
  • Vanessa Gibson, NYC Councilmember (2014–present), NY State Assemblymember for the 77th district (2009–2013)
  • Carlos Menchaca, NYC Councilmember (2014–present) (endorsed after withdrawing from the race)
  • Kalman Yeger, NYC Councilmember (2018–present)
  • Stephen Levin, NYC Councilmember (2010–present) (second choice)

Individuals

  • Sal Albanese, former NYC Councilmember (1983–1998)
  • Charlamagne tha God, radio presenter and television personality
  • Elizabeth Crowley, former NYC Councilmember (2009–2017)
  • Matthew W. Daus, former commissioner and chairman of the New York City Taxi and Limousine Commission (2001–2010)
  • Ben Zion Aryeh Leibish Halberstam, current leader of the Bobov Hasidic dynasty
  • Cameron Kasky, activist against gun violence
  • Dara Kass, physician and professor
  • Daniel Dae Kim, actor and producer
  • Martin Luther King III, civil rights activist, former president of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (1997–2004)
  • John Leguizamo, actor and comedian
  • Walter T. Mosley, former NY State Assemblymember for the 57th district (2013–2021)
  • Naked Cowboy, street performer
  • David S. Rose, entrepreneur
  • Anthony Scaramucci, former White House Communications Director (2017) (Republican)
  • Amy Schumer, stand-up comedian and actress
  • Lis Smith, communications director for Pete Buttigieg's 2020 presidential campaign
  • Zalman Teitelbaum, Grand Rebbe of Satmar
  • Bradley Tusk, businessman, philanthropist, and political strategist
  • Mordechai Dovid Unger, first Rebbe of Bobov-45

Organizations

  • AAPI Victory Fund
  • Freelancers Union (co-endorsed with Wiley)

Labor unions

  • Detectives' Endowment Association
  • New York City Police Captains Endowment Association

Newspapers and other media

  • The Queens Ledger

Opinion polling

Graphical summary (first-past-the-post polls)

Among those supporting a candidate (first-past-the-post polls)

Ranked-choice polls

First-past-the-post polls

Notes
  1. Morales was invited to the debate, but decided to boycott it in protest of actions within the Kings County Democratic Committee.
  2. Adams originally declined to participate, but later opted to attend.
  3. First-choice results from a ranked-choice poll

Head-to-head polls

Polling key and sponsors
  1. Key:
    A – all adults
    RV – registered voters
    LV – likely voters
    V – unclear
  2. Before allocation (including undecided respondents)
  3. Hypothetical scenario with Wiley eliminated instead of Garcia after round 7
  4. This poll was sponsored by FairVote
  5. Hypothetical scenario based on FairVote's RCV simulations with various permutations of candidates
  6. This poll was sponsored by WPIX and NewsNation
  7. This poll was sponsored by New Generation of Leadership PAC, which supports Garcia for mayor
  8. This poll was sponsored by Strong Leadership NYC, Inc., which supports Adams for mayor
  9. This poll was sponsored by the Manhattan Institute for Policy Research
  10. This poll was sponsored by the NYC-based lobbying group Capalino & Company, which is not working on behalf of any candidates
  11. This poll was sponsored by WNBC, WNJU, and Politico
  12. This poll was sponsored by Spectrum News NY1
  13. Hypothetical scenario with Garcia eliminated instead of Yang after round 6
  14. This poll was sponsored by Yang's campaign committee
  15. This poll was sponsored by New Yorkers for a Better Future, Inc.
  16. This poll was sponsored by Future Forward NYC, Inc., which supports Yang for mayor
  17. This poll was sponsored by StudentsFirstNY, a pro-charter schools group, which released this poll just before its executive director formed a pro-Adams PAC
  18. Hypothetical scenario with all candidates eliminated but Donovan and Yang
  19. Hypothetical scenario with all candidates eliminated but Stringer and Yang
  20. Hypothetical scenario with all candidates eliminated but Wiley and Yang
  21. This poll was sponsored by the New York Post, whose editorial board endorsed Adams
  22. This poll was sponsored by Univision 41 Nueva York (WXTV)
  23. This poll was conducted by Core Decision Analytics, which is working with Garcia's campaign, and was sponsored by the NYC-based lobbying group Fontas Advisors, which is not working on behalf of any candidates
  24. Hypothetical scenario excluding Stringer
  25. This poll was sponsored by Hotel Workers for Stronger Communities, which supports Adams for mayor
  26. This poll was sponsored by Corey Johnson's comptroller campaign committee
  27. This poll was sponsored by Democrats for Education Reform, a pro-charter schools group

Results

On June 29, the New York City Board of Elections became aware of a discrepancy in the unofficial primary results and subsequently posted in a tweet that both test and election night results were tallied together in an error, adding approximately 135,000 additional votes.

On July 6, after new vote tallies were released, the Associated Press declared Eric Adams to be the winner of the primary. The Guardian stated that Adams had prevailed "after appealing to the political center and promising to strike the right balance between fighting crime and ending racial injustice in policing". An earlier report from The New York Times asserted that Adams had run as a "working-class underdog" and had "hammered away at the message that he was the only candidate who could tackle both crime and police reform". The Associated Press later added that Adams had made "his rejection of left-leaning activists’ calls to defund the police" a "centerpiece of his campaign".

Adams was heavily favored to prevail in the general election.

2021 New York City mayoral Democratic primary election
Candidate Round 1 Round 2 Round 3 Round 4 Round 5 Round 6 Round 7 Round 8
Votes % Votes % Votes % Votes % Votes % Votes % Votes % Votes %
Eric Adams 289,403 30.7% 289,603 30.8% 290,055 30.8% 291,806 31.2% 295,798 31.7% 317,092 34.6% 354,657 40.5% Won 404,513 Won 50.4%
Kathryn Garcia 184,463 19.6% 184,571 19.6% 184,669 19.6% 186,731 19.9% 191,876 20.5% 223,634 24.4% 266,932 30.5% 397,316 49.6%
Maya Wiley 201,127 21.4% 201,193 21.4% 201,518 21.4% 206,013 22.0% 209,108 22.4% 239,174 26.1% 254,728 29.1% Eliminated
Andrew Yang 115,130 12.2% 115,301 12.2% 115,502 12.3% 118,808 12.6% 121,597 13.0% 135,686 14.8% Eliminated
Scott Stringer 51,778 5.5% 51,850 5.5% 51,951 5.5% 53,599 5.7% 56,723 6.1% Eliminated
Dianne Morales 26,495 2.8% 26,534 2.8% 26,645 2.8% 30,157 3.2% 30,933 3.3% Eliminated
Raymond McGuire 25,242 2.7% 25,272 2.7% 25,418 2.7% 26,361 2.8% 27,934 3.0% Eliminated
Shaun Donovan 23,167 2.5% 23,189 2.5% 23,314 2.5% 24,042 2.6% Eliminated
Aaron Foldenauer 7,742 0.8% 7,758 0.8% 7,819 0.8% Eliminated
Art Chang 7,048 0.7% 7,064 0.8% 7,093 0.8% Eliminated
Paperboy Prince 3,964 0.4% 4,007 0.4% 4,060 0.4% Eliminated
Joycelyn Taylor 2,662 0.3% 2,683 0.3% 2,780 0.3% Eliminated
Isaac Wright Jr. 2,242 0.2% 2,254 0.2% Eliminated
Write-ins 1,568 0.2% Eliminated
Total votes 942,031 100.0% 941,279 100.0% 940,824 100.0% 936,717 100.0% 933,969 100.0% 915,586 100.0% 876,317 100.0% 801,829 100.0%
Exhausted ballots 752 0.08% 1,207 0.13% 5,314 0.56% 8,062 0.86% 26,445 2.81% 65,714 6.98% 140,202 14.88%
2021 New York City Democratic mayoral primary
Candidate Maximum
round
Maximum
votes
Share in
maximum
round
Maximum votes
First round votesTransfer votes
Eric Adams 8 404,513 42.9%
Kathryn Garcia 8 397,316 42.2%
Maya Wiley 7 254,728 27.0%
Andrew Yang 6 135,686 14.4%
Scott Stringer 5 56,723 6.0%
Exhausted votes 140,202 14.9%

Maps

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