(Why We’re Not) Out of the Woods
Kevin McCullough
With Eric Adams’ sudden exit from the New York City mayoral race, some moderates and conservatives cheered. The failed incumbent, plagued by scandals and sagging credibility, seemed to be the one figure whose presence was muddying the waters. But Adams’ departure does not solve the central problem facing New York. If anything, it makes it more urgent. Because the danger in this race has never been Adams—it has always been Zohran Mamdani.
Mamdani’s rise is no accident. His operation is powered by a grassroots machine, block captains, activists, and organizers who are determined to make him the AOC of New York City. The city’s far-left ecosystem sees this race as a chance to finally cement their hold on the nation’s largest metropolis. And unlike Adams or Cuomo, Mamdani doesn’t need to manufacture enthusiasm—it bubbles up from his base, mostly young, urban, and radicalized. Adams bowing out only strengthens that position.
Andrew Cuomo, meanwhile, remains flawed. His past scandals and tone-deaf leadership style haunt him. He alienated key constituencies and carries enough ethical baggage to sink most politicians. Yet he remains the one Democrat with the name ID and infrastructure to mount a citywide fight against Mamdani. The problem is, Cuomo cannot do it alone. Even with Adams out, he cannot consolidate enough independents, reform-minded Democrats, and Republicans to defeat a leftist with Mamdani’s ground game.
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https://townhall.com/columnists/kevinmccullough/2025/09/29/why-were-not-out-of-the-woods-n2664112
