New York City Mayor Eric Adams, 64, has officially launched his re-election campaign for the November general election. The announcement, made during a press conference on the steps of City Hall on June 26th, comes just days after State Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani secured a presumptive victory in the Democratic primary.

Adams’ decision to bypass the Democratic primary is noteworthy, given his recent struggles with public approval. His unpopularity among progressive voters is largely attributed to a now-withdrawn federal indictment on bribery charges and his controversial decision to allow U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to detain individuals at Rikers Island.

His main challenger in the upcoming general election is 33-year-old Zohran Mamdani, an Indian-Ugandan American state assemblyman from Queens. Mamdani, who defeated former Governor Andrew Cuomo in the primary, ran on a progressive platform, positioning himself as a stark contrast to Adams. Given the city’s progressive leaning, the Republican candidate is expected to play a minimal role in the race.

This re-election bid sets the stage for a fascinating political showdown in New York City, pitting the incumbent mayor against a rising progressive star. The coming months will undoubtedly be filled with intense campaigning and debate as Adams fights to retain his position as mayor.