New York City Council Speaker Adrienne E. Adams, who is term-limited, opted to endorse her Chief of Staff, Tyrell D. Hankerson, to replace her in the upcoming city elections.
Adams is currently the council member for Queens District 28, which encompasses the neighborhoods of Jamaica, Richmond Hill, Rochdale Village, and South Ozone Park. Hankerson has been her right hand for several years.
“I’m very excited,” said Hankerson about the endorsement. “She’s been my mentor for the past eight years. It’s been a humbling experience and I appreciate the show of confidence in my ability to serve the district, which she always refers to as her baby.”
Hankerson has raised $25,141 in private funds and $108,969 in public funds. Despite an initial denial of campaign funds this month, New York City Campaign Finance Board (NYCCFB) doled out $26,524 with a note of correction, said Hankerson. So far he has about 37% in-district donors and about 90% small donors supporting him, according to NYCCFB numbers.
Her endorsement out of the way, Speaker Adams may have bigger fish to fry with the mayoral election. She was rumored to be considering a run against embroiled-in-scandal Mayor Eric Adams — or at least politicos were quietly asking her to.
A Queens native, she was the first woman to represent her district when she was elected in 2017. Then she made history in 2022 when she was elected the first Black person to be city council speaker and lead the first women-majority council in the city’s history. Perhaps most memorably, she’s been an anchor point for the council, often sounding off against the mayor on numerous fronts like immigration and criminal justice reform.
“As the speaker has stated several times, she has options. I don’t know what she’ll do but she’ll be phenomenal at whatever she decides to do,” said Hankerson.
Petitioning to get a candidate’s name on the ballot in June’s primary officially kicked off on Tuesday, Feb. 25. The time to hop in at the last minute and declare candidacy would be soon. Speaker Adams’ office said that “calls” were being made, but no serious campaign had been set up yet.
Related: NYC rallies against Trump, Adams, and Musk
Meanwhile, Hankerson faces stiff competition from a handful of candidates also vying for Adams’ city council seat including Romeo Hitlall, Japneet Singh, and a rumored former Councilmember Ruben Wills.
For the most part, the candidates seemed nonplussed about Wills — who was convicted and sentenced to two to six years in prison for campaign fraud — entering the race and ruining their chances. Wills was fully exonerated in 2021.
“I wouldn’t say I’m worried. It’s a democracy, anyone can run,” said Hankerson. “I’m focused on the campaign no matter who’s in the race.”
Hitlall is a real estate broker, served on Community Board 10, and does community outreach for the 106 Precinct. He’s been endorsed by Senators Joseph P. Addabbo and Roxanne Persaud, among others. He’s raised $33,486 in private funds and $132,767 in public funds.
“We’re doing well. Focused on the ground campaign. Reaching out to the district and engaging at civic meetings,” said Hitlall. “I think the race is still open, and petitioning starts this week to get on the ballot. We’re looking to run a clean campaign.”
Singh said that he’s ecstatic about having exceeded his fundraising goals. He’s raised $30,813 in private funds and $179,520 in public funds. He pointed out that his campaign has received donations from every zip code in the district.
“To have already maxed out on public matching funds I believe sends a clear message that we not only are running a robust campaign but we have strong support of a diverse and far reaching community in Queens,” said Singh.
Singh said he wasn’t surprised with Adams’ endorsement of Hankerson. “We simply believe that he will be the continuation of Adams’ tenure at City Hall and that the everyday people of District 28 are ready for change.”
Latoya LeGrand and Ruben Wills didn’t respond to a request for comment.