Democratic Sen. Jessica Ramos jumps into crowded NYC mayoral race as Adams dogged by federal probes
State Sen. Jessica Ramos on Friday joined a growing field of Democrats vying to unseat Mayor Eric Adams in next year’s primary as the incumbent and his administration are engulfed in multiple federal probes.
Ramos, 39, announced her run for mayor a day after Adams’ handpicked police commissioner Edward Caban stepped down in the face of an investigation into alleged influence peddling involving the former top cop’s twin brother.
She’s served in the state senate representing parts of Queens since 2019 after she defeated the now-late senator Jose Peralta, who was part of the defunct Independent Democratic Conference that teamed up with Republicans to pass legislation.
Ramos, a former aide to ex-mayor Bill de Blasio, joins fellow state Sen. Zellnor Myrie, City Comptroller Brad Lander and former Comptroller Scott Stringer as challengers to Adams.
Adams emerged victorious in a crowded Democratic primary in 2021 and went on to win the mayoral seat, but he’s faced mounting turmoil over the last year with several of his aides targeted in federal probes, including over an alleged kickback scheme between City Hall and the Turkish government.
Another probe involves aide Winnie Greco whose two homes were raided over a possible straw donor scheme, sources told The Post earlier this year.
Caban, who was Gotham’s top cop for a little more than a year, stepped down Thursday after he, other top police officials and close aides to Adams were targeted in raids last week.
Ramos, who grew up in Astoria, is known for being a strong union advocate and has in the past criticized Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of being absent in the district that the pair partially share.