Order to drop case against Eric Adams kicks off a healthier race for NY mayor

Whatever you think of the Justice Department’s order for prosecutors to drop charges against Mayor Eric Adams, it clearly paves the way for a feisty mayoral race. New Yorkers should be grateful for that.

Adams will now have a shot of making his case for reelection without the distraction of a criminal prosecution — and trial — dogging him.

Voters themselves will decide the best man, or woman, for the job.

On Monday, acting Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove said the order was not based on the strength of evidence in the bribery case against Adams, nor does it prevent charging the mayor again later.

But the case, Bove noted, had “unduly restricted Mayor Adams’ ability to devote full attention and resources to the illegal immigration and violent crime.”

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And, of course, to running for reelection.

That’s a refreshing switch from Justice’s years-long record of weaponization, which fueled suspicions that the charges against Adams were politically motivated.

Recall how Justice tied President Donald Trump’s hands during his first term with the completely bogus Russiagate probe, and how, under President Joe Biden, it launched charges against him just as he ran for reelection in 2024.

All while shielding Biden and his family from potential charges against them.

Note, too, how the case against Hizzoner suddenly gained traction after Adams began griping about Joe’s migrant policies.

Now add to all that the fact that the quid pro quos Adams was accused of — an upgraded seat on a flight, cutting red tape to get the Turkish consulate open quickly — didn’t really amount to very much.

Yes, the charge that Adams’ campaign took illegal contributions is more serious, but Hizzoner has denied any knowledge of that.

Meanwhile, the pool of wannabes running against Adams is beyond depressing. Most of them — Scott Stringer, Brad Lander, Zohran Mamdani, Jessica Ramos — are rabidly progressive.

And the one potential challenger who’s less radical is Andrew Cuomo, the guy forced from office following major scandals involving sex abuse and COVID nursing-home deaths.

He’s also the guy who gave New York not only those “congestion” tolls, but also criminal-justice “reforms” that fueled crime and a fantasyland green agenda that’s rocketing up utility bills.

Those issues, as a new poll found, would clearly hurt Cuomo’s chances, though he’s still got a good shot of coming out on top in a Democratic primary.

Which has Adams reportedly thinking of running as a Republican.

And now he can do so free of any pre-election prosecutorial cloud.

So voters now have a freer choice of candidates — rather than one tainted by arbitrary or weaponized decisions from Washington.

Let the battle begin. And may the best man, or woman, win.