Eric Adams facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Eric Adams
Adams in 2023
110th Mayor of New York City
In office January 1, 2022 – December 31, 2025
First Deputy	List Lorraine Grillo Sheena Wright Anne Williams-Isom (acting) Maria Torres-Springer Suzanne Miles-Gustave (acting) Camille Joseph Varlack (interim) Randy Mastro
Preceded by	Bill de Blasio
Succeeded by	Zohran Mamdani
18th Borough President of Brooklyn
In office January 1, 2014 – December 31, 2021
Deputy	Diana Reyna Ingrid Lewis-Martin
Preceded by	Marty Markowitz
Succeeded by	Antonio Reynoso
Member of the New York State Senate from the 20th district
In office January 1, 2007 – December 31, 2013
Preceded by	Carl Andrews
Succeeded by	Jesse Hamilton
Personal details
Born	Eric Leroy Adams (1960-09-01) September 1, 1960 (age 65) New York City, U.S.
Political party	Democratic (2002–present)
Other political affiliations	Republican (1995–2002)
Domestic partner	Tracey Collins
Children	1
Education	New York City College of Technology (AA) John Jay College of Criminal Justice (BA) Marist College (MPA)
Signature
Police career
Department	New York City Police Department
Years of service	1984–2006
Rank	Captain

Eric Leroy Adams (born September 1, 1960) is an American politician and former police officer who served as the 110th mayor of New York City from 2022 to 2025. Before becoming mayor, Adams was an officer in the New York City Police Department (NYPD) for over 20 years, retiring as a captain. He also served in the New York State Senate and was the first African American to be elected Brooklyn Borough President.

As mayor, Adams focused on improving public safety and helping the city's economy. In 2024, he faced a federal investigation related to his 2021 campaign. Adams stated he was innocent, and the case was dismissed in April 2025.

Early Life and Schooling

Eric Leroy Adams was born in Brownsville, Brooklyn, on September 1, 1960. He was the fourth of six children. His mother, Dorothy, worked long hours as a housecleaner, and his father, Leroy, was a butcher. His family faced many hardships, and they moved from a small apartment in Bushwick, Brooklyn to a house in South Jamaica, Queens after his mother saved enough money.

When he was a teenager, Adams got into trouble and was arrested. He had a very negative experience with the police officers who arrested him. He has said this difficult moment inspired him to become a police officer himself, so he could help change the police department from the inside and improve its relationship with the community.

Adams graduated from Bayside High School in 1979. He worked as a mechanic and a mailroom clerk while attending college. He earned degrees from the New York City College of Technology, John Jay College of Criminal Justice, and Marist College. In college, Adams learned he had dyslexia. After his diagnosis, his grades improved greatly, and he became a strong supporter of early screening for dyslexia in schools.

Career as a Police Officer

Adams served as an officer in the New York City Transit Police and the New York City Police Department (NYPD) for 22 years. He joined the police force in 1984 with the goal of making positive changes from within.

During his time as an officer, Adams spoke out against unfair police practices. In 1995, he co-founded 100 Blacks in Law Enforcement Who Care. This group worked to support Black police officers and improve the relationship between the police and the community. The group also held workshops to teach young people how to interact with police safely.

Adams rose through the ranks and retired in 2006 as a captain.

Start in Politics

After retiring from the police force, Eric Adams decided to enter politics to continue serving his community.

New York State Senator

In 2006, Adams was elected to the New York State Senate, where he represented parts of Brooklyn. He served for four terms, until 2013. As a senator, he worked on public safety issues and was a strong supporter of marriage equality in New York. In 2011, he voted in favor of the Marriage Equality Act, which became law. He also worked to pass laws against illegal guns.

Brooklyn Borough President

Adams in 2020

In 2013, Adams was elected Brooklyn Borough President, becoming the first African American to hold the position. He was re-elected in 2017. As borough president, he focused on:

• Affordable Housing: He pushed for more affordable homes to be built in Brooklyn.
• Education: He supported making community colleges in the City University of New York (CUNY) system free for students.
• Health: After being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, Adams changed to a plant-based diet and improved his health. He then started programs to encourage healthier eating in schools and across Brooklyn, such as "Meatless Mondays."

Campaign for Mayor

In 2020, Eric Adams announced he was running for Mayor of New York City. His campaign focused on improving public safety and helping the city's economy recover. He ran as a moderate member of the Democratic Party.

After a close primary race, Adams won the Democratic nomination. In the general election in November 2021, he faced Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa. Adams won the election by a large margin and became the 110th Mayor of New York City.

Mayor of New York City (2022–2025)

Adams took office on January 1, 2022. He was the second African American mayor in the city's history, after David Dinkins.

Focus on Public Safety

Adams speaking about his subway safety plan in February 2022

One of Mayor Adams's main goals was to reduce crime. He brought back a special plainclothes police unit to focus on gun violence. He also started a plan to increase police presence in the subway system and address the issue of homeless people sleeping in subway cars. His administration worked to clear homeless encampments and connect people with shelters and mental health services.

City Policies

During his time as mayor, Adams made several key decisions:

• He ended the city's COVID-19 vaccine and mask rules for most indoor places and schools.
• He encouraged companies to bring their employees back to the office to help local businesses.
• He started a program called "City of Yes" to make it easier to build more housing and support small businesses.
• His administration began a city-wide program to have trash placed in containers instead of bags on the sidewalk, which helped make streets cleaner.

Migrant Crisis

Adams with Governor Kathy Hochul, MTA Chair Janno Lieber and Police Commissioner Keechant Sewell on October 22, 2024

Starting in 2022, New York City saw a large increase in the number of asylum seekers arriving from the southern border. The Adams administration opened many emergency shelters, including large tent-like structures, to provide housing and services for the new arrivals. Adams often said that the city needed more help from the federal government to manage the situation.

Legal Challenges

Adams leaving the courthouse on the day of his arraignment

In 2024, federal authorities began an investigation into Adams's 2021 mayoral campaign. He was indicted on several federal charges, including bribery and fraud. Adams pleaded not guilty and said the accusations were false.

In February 2025, the Department of Justice asked federal prosecutors to drop the charges against him. A judge officially dismissed the case with prejudice in April 2025, which meant the charges could not be brought again.

2025 Mayoral Campaign

Adams' 2025 campaign logo

Adams ran for re-election in 2025. After facing several challengers in the Democratic primary, he decided to run as an independent candidate instead.

In September 2025, Adams withdrew from the race. He later endorsed former governor Andrew Cuomo. The election was won by Zohran Mamdani, who became Adams's successor.

Electoral history

Personal Life

Adams has one son, Jordan Coleman, who is a filmmaker and actor. Adams is in a relationship with Tracey Collins, who works for the New York City Department of Education.

Health and Diet

In 2016, Adams was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Instead of taking medicine for the rest of his life, he decided to change his lifestyle. He switched to a plant-based diet, which means he stopped eating animal products, and began exercising regularly.

Within six months, he lost 30 pounds and his health improved so much that he no longer had signs of diabetes. He wrote a book about his experience called Healthy at Last to encourage others to live healthier lives.

Images for kids

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  Adams with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi in 2021

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  Adams with President Joe Biden and Governor Kathy Hochul in 2022

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  Adams with Vice President Kamala Harris and Governor Hochul in 2023

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  Adams with Judge Rachel Freier in 2016

See also

In Spanish: Eric Adams (político) para niños