Mayor-elect Mamdani, Mayor Adams have first conversation since election

New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani and Mayor Eric Adams spoke on Thursday for the first time since Tuesday’s election, discussing the transition between the 110th and 111th mayoralties.

The topic the men discussed wasn’t disclosed, but mayors and their staffs typically coordinate post-election to ensure continuity.

Mamdani’s inauguration is Jan. 1.

"I appreciated the conversation I had with Mayor Adams, and what I look forward to is a smooth transition, one that ensures that we are able to start delivering for New Yorkers on Jan. 1, and I’m confident that’ll be the case over this next 50-odd days," Mamdani told reporters in San Juan, Puerto Rico, where the state’s political class attends an annual conference after the election.

Liz Garcia, an Adams spokeswoman confirmed in a text message that the men spoke on the phone on Thursday, "and the mayor shared his team’s complete cooperation with the transition process."

The comity is a contrast from the election season that ended on Tuesday with Mamdani’s victory. For months, Mamdani had called Adams a corrupt tool of the wealthy who hurt New York; Adams had ridiculed Mamdani’s plans to expand social programs and suggested he’d welcome Islamic terrorism.

Mamdani’s transition team, which is accepting resumes, announced on Tuesday that its co-chairs — alumna of the Bloomberg, Adams, de Blasio and Biden administrations — had begun planning for Mamdani’s government.

By Matthew Chayes

matthew.chayes@newsday.comchayesmatthew

Matthew Chayes, a Newsday reporter since 2007, covers New York City.