Career Timeline of Eric Adams: Major Achievements and Milestones

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Eric Adams made an impact.

Eric Leroy Adams is the current mayor of New York City, elected in 2022. Prior to his mayoral role, Adams had a career in law enforcement, serving over 20 years in the New York City Transit Police and later the NYPD, retiring as a captain. His political career includes serving in the New York State Senate representing Brooklyn's 20th district from 2006 to 2013. Adams also made history as the first Black American elected as Brooklyn Borough President in 2013, a position he held until becoming mayor.

Sections (6)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

1984: Graduated from Police Academy

In 1984, Eric Adams graduated second in his class from the New York City Police Academy.

1994: Failed Congressional Run

In 1994, Eric Adams ran for Congress against incumbent Major Owens in the Democratic primary for New York's 11th congressional district but failed to get enough signatures to make the ballot. He claimed his signatures had been stolen.

1995: Escorted Mike Tyson and co-founded 100 Blacks in Law Enforcement Who Care

In 1995, Eric Adams escorted Mike Tyson upon his release from jail. That same year, he co-founded 100 Blacks in Law Enforcement Who Care, an advocacy group for black police officers.

1999: Lawmakers Last Received A Raise

In 1999, lawmakers in New York received their last pay raise before Eric Adams advocated for another one in 2007.

2000: US Commission on Civil Rights commented on NYPD Stop and Frisk policy

In 2000, the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights commented on the NYPD's "stop and frisk" policy, stating that it constituted racial profiling. Eric Adams was a vocal opponent of the policy.

2006: Elected to New York State Senate

In 2006, Eric Adams was elected to the New York State Senate, representing the 20th Senate District.

2006: Investigated by NYPD and retired

In 2006, Eric Adams was investigated by the NYPD for critiquing Mayor Michael Bloomberg on television while in his official capacity as a police officer. He retired from the police force with the rank of captain after being found guilty of violating department policies.

2007: Supported Pay Raise for New York Lawmakers

In 2007, as a freshman state senator, Eric Adams supported a pay raise for New York's lawmakers, saying, "Show me the money."

2009: Worked to Nominate John L. Sampson and voted in favor of marriage equality

In 2009, Eric Adams worked to foster a compromise to nominate John L. Sampson as the Minority Leader of the New York State Senate. That same year, Adams voted in favor of marriage equality in New York State.

February 2010: Voted Against Expelling Senator Hiram Monserrate

In February 2010, Eric Adams was one of just eight members of the New York Senate who voted not to expel Senator Hiram Monserrate after he was convicted of assault.

2010: Chaired Senate Racing and Wagering Committee and faced investigation

In 2010, Eric Adams became Chair of the Senate Racing and Wagering Committee. He was later investigated for his handling of the gambling operation at the Aqueduct Racetrack, but no action was taken by the Department of Justice.

July 24, 2011: New York's Marriage Equality Act Came Into Effect

On July 24, 2011, New York's Marriage Equality Act came into effect, after Eric Adams supported and voted to legalize same-sex marriage in New York.

2011: Supported Federal Investigation into Stop-and-Frisk

In 2011, Eric Adams supported calling for a federal investigation into stop-and-frisk practices by the NYPD and championed a bill to stop the NYPD from gathering data about individuals who had been stopped but not charged.

March 12, 2012: Protested Shooting of Trayvon Martin

On March 12, 2012, Eric Adams and five other state lawmakers wore hooded sweatshirts in the legislative chamber in protest of the shooting of Trayvon Martin.

November 5, 2013: Elected Brooklyn Borough President

On November 5, 2013, Eric Adams was elected Brooklyn Borough President with 90.8 percent of the vote.

2013: Elected Brooklyn Borough President

In 2013, Eric Adams became the first Black American to be elected Brooklyn Borough President.

2014: Commented on Killings of Eric Garner and NYPD Officers

In 2014, Eric Adams criticized the use of excessive force in the arrest of Eric Garner and the arrest of postal carrier Glen Grays. After the killings of NYPD officers Wenjian Liu and Rafael Ramos, Adams called for police officers and the community to work together to build a relationship of mutual respect.

July 14, 2016: Bill Passed Requiring Lactation Rooms in Municipal Buildings

On July 14, 2016, a bill introduced by Eric Adams was passed by the New York City Council, requiring all municipal buildings providing services to the public to have lactation rooms.

2017: Re-elected Brooklyn Borough President

In 2017, Eric Adams was re-elected as Brooklyn Borough President with 83.0 percent of the vote.

February 14, 2018: Joining Student Efforts for Stricter Gun Laws

On February 14, 2018, following the school shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, Eric Adams joined Brooklyn students in organizing an emergency meeting and rally to demand stricter gun laws.

February 2020: Statement on "Stop and Frisk" Policy

In February 2020, Eric Adams stated his view that a police department should be able to stop and question individuals, which was during his State Senate tenure. While he opposed NYPD's "stop and frisk" policy, he supported it during his 2021 mayoral campaign.

October 2020: Publication of 'Healthy at Last'

In October 2020, Eric Adams published his plant-based advocacy cookbook, "Healthy at Last: A Plant-Based Approach to Preventing and Reversing Diabetes and Other Chronic Illnesses," which also chronicles his health journey.

Healthy at Last: A Plant-Based Approach to Preventing and Reversing Diabetes and Other Chronic Illnesses

Check it on Amazon

November 17, 2020: Announcement of Mayoral Candidacy

On November 17, 2020, Eric Adams announced his candidacy for Mayor of New York City in the 2021 election.

November 2, 2021: Election as Mayor of New York City

On November 2, 2021, Eric Adams was elected Mayor of New York City in a landslide victory against Republican Curtis Sliwa.

November 4, 2021: Announcement to Take Paychecks in Bitcoin

On November 4, 2021, Eric Adams announced that he planned to take his first three paychecks as Mayor in bitcoin and aimed to make New York City the center of the cryptocurrency industry.

2021: Mayoral Campaign and Stance on Crime

During his 2021 mayoral campaign, Eric Adams supported the "stop and frisk" policy. Adams's standing in the polls grew stronger in May, and he emerged as the frontrunner due to rising crime in New York, which may have benefited Adams.

2021: Authorized Grant for Plant-Based Curriculum

In 2021, Eric Adams authorized a grant from the borough to SUNY Downstate College of Medicine to establish a plant-based supplemental curriculum.

2021: Contributor to 'Brotha Vegan'

In 2021, Eric Adams contributed to the anthology "Brotha Vegan: Black Men Speak on Food, Identity, Health, and Society".

2021: Mayoral Campaign

In 2021, Eric Adams participated in the mayoral campaign and was a top fundraiser among Democrats, second only to Raymond McGuire regarding the amount raised.

2021: Won Democratic Nomination and Mayoral Election

In 2021, Eric Adams won the Democratic Party's nomination for mayor of New York City after a crowded primary. He subsequently won the general election against Curtis Sliwa and, as mayor, implemented a tough-on-crime approach.

March 16, 2022: Revival of Plainclothes Police Unit

On March 16, 2022, Eric Adams officially revived a police unit made up of plainclothes officers, which had been disbanded in 2020. The unit was disbanded by de Blasio following the murder of George Floyd.

December 2022: Hosting 15 Days of Light at Carnegie Hall

In December 2022, Eric Adams and several religious leaders and CEOs hosted 15 Days of Light, celebrating Hanukkah and Kwanzaa at Carnegie Hall, and called for social media companies to address hate speech on their platforms.

2022: Became Mayor of New York City

In 2022, Eric Adams became the 110th mayor of New York City.

December 6, 2023: City Council Approves First 'City of Yes' Proposal

On December 6, 2023, the City Council approved the first proposal of Eric Adams's 'City of Yes' zoning changes, aimed at facilitating environmentally-friendly building renovations and rooftop solar installations.

2023: Appearance in Netflix documentary 'You Are What You Eat: A Twin Experiment'

In 2023, Eric Adams appeared in the Netflix documentary "You Are What You Eat: A Twin Experiment", where he claimed to have never used medication for his diabetes, despite previously stating he initially followed his doctor's orders before switching to a plant-based diet.

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June 6, 2024: City Council Approves Second 'City of Yes' Proposal

On June 6, 2024, the City Council approved the second proposal of Eric Adams's 'City of Yes' zoning changes, intended to allow businesses more flexibility in terms of where they can operate.

October 15, 2024: Appointment of Chauncey Parker as Deputy Mayor for Public Safety

On October 15, 2024, Eric Adams appointed Chauncey Parker as the new Deputy Mayor for Public Safety.

December 2024: Vote Scheduled for Third 'City of Yes' Proposal

In December 2024, a vote is scheduled for the third 'City of Yes' proposal, intended to allow 'a little more housing in every neighborhood'. This proposal aims to address the New York City housing shortage but faces opposition due to concerns about changes in low-density neighborhoods.

April 3, 2025: Adams Runs as Independent

On April 3, 2025, Adams announced he would exit the Democratic primary and run in the general election as an Independent. Adams is the first incumbent mayor to run without the nomination of either major party since John Lindsay in 1969.

April 2025: Announced Re-election Bid as Independent

In April 2025, Eric Adams announced that he would seek re-election as an independent in the 2025 New York City mayoral election.

2025: Adams Runs for Reelection Amidst Federal Indictment

In 2025, Adams announced his reelection campaign amidst a federal indictment, facing multiple challengers and low polling numbers in the Democratic primary. Polls indicated that former New York governor Andrew Cuomo led among Democratic voters.