Democrat Eric Adams Elected New York City's Next Mayor, Republican Curtis Sliwa Concedes
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Democrat Eric Adams has been elected New York City's next mayor.
According to the Associated Press, as of 10:52 p.m., Adams had 67% of the vote with 63% of precincts reporting.
It was a party at Adams' headquarters in downtown Brooklyn, CBS2 polticial reporter Marcia Kramer says.
Adams gave a heartfelt victory speech, speaking about his mother's influence and the regret that he had that he wasn't able to share the moment with her. She passed away at age 83 during the primary.
He also talked about being a child of poverty and being dyslexic.
The message he was trying to convey to New Yorkers was, "If I can do it, you can do it." Many times during his speech, he said, "I am you." He says he wants New Yorkers to believe again.
"I am you. I am you. After years of praying and hoping and struggling and working, we are headed to City Hall ... This campaign was for the underserved, the marginalized, the abandoned. This campaign was for those who have been betrayed by their government," Adams said.
Watch Adams' victory speech --
Gov. Kathy Hochul also made an appearance during Adams' speech to wish him good luck and vow that the city and state would work together.
Adams will be the city's second Black mayor. The first was David Dinkins, who defeated Ed Koch in 1989.
As CBS2's Dick Brennan reports, Adams has shown his ability to attract a broad coalition of voters and manage to hold the center while progressives push their agenda.
He succeeds Democrat Bill de Blasio, who is nearing the end of his second term.
De Blasio tweeted Tuesday evening, saying in part, "[Adams] embodies the greatness of our city. He will be an outstanding mayor. Congratulations, my friend!"
Former mayor Mike Bloomberg also tweeted his congratulations, saying, "The right person at the right time for the best job in the world. I couldn't be more optimistic about New York City's future."
The current Brooklyn borough president got emotional while voting for himself Tuesday morning, carrying a picture of his late mother into his polling place in Bedford-Stuyvesant.
"I'm not supposed to be standing here, but because I'm standing here, everyday New Yorkers are going to realize that they deserve the right to stand in the city, also. This is for the little guy," Adams said earlier Tuesday.
Adams had said if he won, he was going to roll up his sleeves and get to work Wednesday morning to start building a government that will rebuild the city, a city for all of us.
Watch Cory James' report --
His Republican opponent, Curtis Sliwa, was up against a 7-to-1 Democratic registration advantage in the city.
As CBS2's Cory James reports, Sliwa conceded around 9:45 p.m. Tuesday, speaking to supporters for about 20 minutes.
"I want to concede to Eric Adams. I've known Eric Adams for 40 years. We've been friends for most of that time. Up until recently, it's gotten quite heated, quite vitriolic. But I will tell you this -- in the aftermath of Bill de Blasio, who singlehandedly destroyed the city that we love, singlehandedly, I am pledging my support to the new mayor, Eric Adams because we're all going to have to convalesce together in harmony and solidarity if we're going to save this city that we love," Sliwa said.
Despite the loss, Sliwa mentioned how big the moment was for him as a man who in his 20s worked as a night manager at McDonald's in the Bronx.
The Guardian Angels founder will return to leading his nonprofit organization. As for politics, Sliwa says he's not going anywhere.
He said he hopes Adams will move the city in a new direction, focusing on crime, parks and schools.
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CBS2's Cory James contributed to this report.
