KEY POINTS

  • The New York Democrat had previously served as a police captain
  • Adams is opposed to defunding the police
  • He will face GOP candidate Curtis Sliwa in general elections later this year

New York Democrat Eric Adams on Wednesday shared footage of getting his ears pierced less than 24 hours after he was declared the winner in the city’s Democratic mayoral primary.

On the campaign trail, Adams met a group of young people who said they’ll only trust the Democrat if he gets his ears pierced when he wins the primary. The Brooklyn Borough president followed through with his campaign promise Wednesday and posted a video of the piercing on his Twitter account.

“Already lived up to my first promise to that young man. So, if you see it on social media, young man, I told you I was going to do it and I just did what I promised,” Adam said in the video. “Day one living up to my promise.”

Adams won the Democratic primary that was billed to be the race that would shape the future of New York City. He secured the win Wednesday after his rivals Kathryn Garcia and Maya D. Wiley—who was endorsed by Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y.,—conceded defeat.

Adams secured a narrow victory against Garcia, who placed second, winning by 8,400 votes.

Unlike other left-leaning Democratic candidates, Adams is opposed to defunding the police and is in favor of expanding charter schools and real estate development, according to The New York Times.

Adams was a former rebel police officer who fought against police misconduct from within the force. He was promoted to captain and later became the borough president. The New York Democrat became widely known for his weird stunts, including displaying drowned rats at a press conference in September 2019 while discussing the city’s vermin problem.

“Not only am I the borough president; I’m the pied piper!” he said at that conference, according to NY Daily News. “This rat infestation problem is something that is becoming too pervasive. It causes diseases, fever, vomiting, diarrhea and other problems to everyday Brooklynites: rats biting our children, rats inside households — just a real problem with rats in the city.”

Adams is expected to face GOP candidate Curtis Sliwa in the general election later this year.

New York City Democratic mayoral candidate Eric Adams smiles during a event in Brooklyn on June 21, 2021, the eve of New York City's primary election day
New York City Democratic mayoral candidate Eric Adams smiles during a event in Brooklyn on June 21, 2021, the eve of New York City's primary election day AFP / TIMOTHY A. CLARY
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