NEW YORK — New York City Mayor Eric Adams formally launched his mayoral campaign Thursday with a sharp attack on presumptive Democratic nominee Zohran Mamdani as the incumbent deals with strong headwinds ranging from the fallout over his now-dismissed criminal indictment to accusations of being too tight with President Donald Trump.

Despite those — and other — challenges, the political ground has shifted somewhat in the last few days. Adams’ independent bid potentially stands to gain from Mamdani’s stunning defeat of Andrew Cuomo, with Adams and Cuomo sharing similar stands on a number of key issues and the mayor offering an alternative to Mamdani’s progressive political platform.

The mayor, who has largely stayed out of the campaign fray until now, slammed Mamdani as privileged and attacked some of his campaign promises while focusing on his own record over the last four years.

“This election is a choice between a candidate with a blue collar and one with a suit and silver spoon,” the mayor said.

“A choice between dirty fingernails and manicured nails. It is a choice between someone who’s delivered lower crime, the most jobs in history, the most new housing built in decades than an assembly member who did not pass a bill.”

Mamdani has, in fact, sponsored three bills that were signed into law. The democratic socialist has centered his campaign on affordability, pledging that as mayor, he’d work to make buses and childcare free.

“When we launched this campaign, we did so to defeat Eric Adams’ second term,” Mamdani said in a statement in response to the mayor’s speech. “New Yorkers have been suffocated by a cost of living crisis and this Mayor has taken almost every opportunity to exacerbate it, all while partnering with Donald Trump to tear our city apart.”

After Mamdani’s victory on Tuesday, some of the city’s business leaders have indicated that they might throw their support behind the mayor as their best shot at defeating Mamdani, who’s said he’ll push to raise taxes on the city’s top 1%. Mamdani has also been accused of bolstering antisemitism because of his statements on Israel’s war in Gaza.

Cuomo, who’s secured his own independent line on the November ballot, has not formally said whether he will stay in the race, but sources are saying it is unlikely he will.

At Thursday’s event, attended by hundreds of Adams’ backers hoisting signs reading “Re-elect Eric,” the mayor was surrounded by many of his most steadfast supporters. Inez Dickens, a former state assemblymember, served as emcee. Faith leaders played a prominent role.

“We pray this morning, Father God, that a fresh wind would blow over New York, a wind of hope, a wind of love and a wind of justice for your people,” Bishop Dr. Chantel R. Wright said in an opening prayer.

Mijal Bitton, a Jewish leader, said the race was not about party lines but instead “about those who want to build and those who want to burn down,” referring to Mamdani.

Rev. Herbert Daughtry, who stood by the mayor’s side when he was indicted, was also there. Fernando Cabrera, a controversial pastor and former councilmember who has spoken out against gay marriage, made remarks.

The rally, steps from the mayor’s offices at City Hall, was attended by several administration staffers, including Deputy Chief of Staff Menashe Shapiro, who was working for the campaign, Department of Transportation Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez, Erick Salgado, an immigrant affairs employee. David Johnson, or DJ, an assistant to the mayor, helped wrangle the mayor’s supporters.

Brianna Suggs, a major fundraiser for Adams during his 2021 run who was raided in connection with the federal investigation into Adams, organized the campaign launch. Former administration official Winnie Greco, whose homes were also raided by the feds, helped organize a group of Chinese New Yorkers wearing “AAPI for Mayor Adams” t-shirts with messages of support in six languages.

To secure a victory in November, Adams, whose approval ratings have hit historic lows, would likely have to widen his base with help form the city’s unions, members of the city’s political class and industry leaders.

In 2021, Adams — who centered his campaign that year on a law-and-order message — enjoyed the support of some of the city’s most important political institutions, including DC 37, New York’s largest public sector union. In 2021, Adams was also endorsed by powerbrokers like Brooklyn Democratic Party boss Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn.

This time around, DC 37 has already announced it’s backing Mamdani in the general election. Several other powerhouse unions that supported Adams in 2021, like 32 BJ and the Hotel and Gaming Trades Council, could follow DC 37’s lead and throw their weight behind Mamdani, sources familiar with the matter told The New York Daily News on Thursday.

In running against him, Mamdani is expected to paint Adams as a pawn to Trump in a city where the Republican president is deeply unpopular.

Trump’s Department of Justice in April secured a dismissal of Adams’ indictment as part of a deal that many believe left the mayor beholden to Trump’s agenda. Since then, Adams has developed a relationship with Trump, including by visiting him at the White House last month.

The event was marked by protests as well. Pro-Luigi Mangione protesters loudly booed throughout the event, prompting Adams’ own supporters to chant dueling cheers.

“We utilize the letter F for Faith, our opponents use the letter F for Profanity,” Adams said after protesters interrupted him, calling him a “f-----g criminal” and saying he had “sold” out the city to Trump.

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