This archive report was first published on 22 June 2021.
On the eve of Tuesday's primary, the contest devolved into a rancorous spat between two of the race's leading candidates, Eric Adams and Andrew Yang, prompting fresh criticism of the city's implementation of ranked-choice voting.
At issue for Mr. Adams was a late alliance between Mr. Yang, a former presidential candidate, and Kathryn Garcia, the former sanitation commissioner; Mr. Adams continued to suggest, without evidence, that Ms. Garcia and Mr. Yang were conspiring to suppress the Black vote.
Mr. Adams's remarks sparked condemnation from across the Democratic Party, with Jumaane Williams, the New York City public advocate, saying it was 'disingenuous and dangerous' to play on fears of bigotry and voter disenfranchisement.
Mr. Yang condemned Mr. Adams's remarks, as did Maya Wiley, the leading candidate on the left, who issued a fiery statement that condemned Mr. Adams's comments without naming him.
As the candidates dashed through the five boroughs in one last-gasp attempt to win voters' allegiance, the tone outside of the firing zone was substantially more lighthearted.
Reporting was contributed by Emma G. Fitzsimmons, Katie Glueck, Michael Gold, Jeffery C. Mays, Ashley Wong and Mihir Zaveri.
