Eric Adams to announce campaign move amid talk of Saudi ambassadorship

New York City Mayor Eric Adams is scheduled to deliver what his team calls an “important campaign announcement” on Friday at 4:30 p.m. ET at Gracie Mansion. The appearance follows reports that advisers to President Donald Trump are exploring the possibility of nominating the mayor to serve as U.S. ambassador to Saudi Arabia, a post that remains vacant.

Potential shift from City Hall to Riyadh

The New York Times reported earlier this week that individuals close to the president have drafted an outline for putting Adams forward as the next envoy to Riyadh. If the nomination materializes and the Senate confirms him, Adams would have to abandon his effort to secure a second term leading the nation’s largest city.

An ambassadorship in Saudi Arabia is widely viewed as one of Washington’s most sensitive diplomatic roles, given the kingdom’s central position in global energy markets and regional security. A study by the Congressional Research Service underscores that U.S. ambassadors in Riyadh routinely navigate complex issues ranging from oil production to counterterrorism cooperation.

Impact on New York’s crowded mayoral field

The 2025 mayoral contest features multiple high-profile figures:

• Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic nominee, who won his party’s primary by a comfortable margin.
• Andrew Cuomo, former New York governor, running as an independent after losing the Democratic primary.
• Curtis Sliwa, Guardian Angels founder and the Republican nominee.
• Eric Adams, also on the ballot as an independent.

Trump has publicly urged both Adams and Cuomo to exit the race to consolidate opposition to Mamdani. The former president argues that a streamlined field would give one candidate a clearer path to challenge the democratic socialist lawmaker.

Adams, 64, entered the contest as an independent rather than seek the Democratic line, pointing to declining approval ratings and a federal corruption indictment announced last year. The Justice Department dropped those charges in April after prosecutors said new evidence undermined key allegations.

Possible benefits for Cuomo

If Adams withdraws, Cuomo could stand to gain. Polls conducted before the ambassadorship rumor placed Adams and Cuomo in a tight race for second place, while Mamdani maintained a consistent lead. Removing Adams from the ballot would free up a significant bloc of moderate and centrist voters who might otherwise lean toward the former governor.

What happens next

White House officials have not confirmed whether Adams is under active consideration for a diplomatic post. Any nomination would require Senate approval, a process that typically involves committee hearings and a full floor vote. Adams has not commented publicly on the speculation, but aides say Friday’s statement will clarify his plans.

Should he accept a federal role, Adams would likely have to resign the remainder of his current mayoral term, setting up a special election or the elevation of the City Council president in accordance with city charter rules.

Imagem: Internet

Other candidates press on

Despite Trump’s calls for a narrower field, Curtis Sliwa has stated he intends to remain in the race. The longtime crime-prevention activist argues that Republican voters deserve a clear option and says his campaign will focus on public safety, transit costs and municipal spending.

Mamdani, 34, has not addressed the ambassadorship reports directly but continues to campaign on expanding affordable housing, investing in public transit and increasing city oversight of police activity.

Timeline

• Friday, 4:30 p.m. ET – Adams delivers announcement at Gracie Mansion.
• Coming days – White House could signal whether a formal nomination is forthcoming.
• Summer 2025 – Deadline for candidates to withdraw and be removed from the November ballot.
• November 4, 2025 – General election for New York City mayor.

As developments unfold, the mayor’s decision could reshape both local politics and U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East.

For continuing coverage of fiscal ramifications tied to city leadership changes, visit our Finance News Update section.

Image credit: Kent Nishimura/Reuters