The influential Police Benevolent Association is quietly telling its members to list three Democratic candidates for mayor– Eric Adams, Andrew Yang and Kathryn Garcia — while warning that ranking any of the five other leading contenders could put an “anti-police” politician in office.
“At this time, the ONLY Democratic mayoral candidates that PBA members should consider including on their ballot are Eric Adams, Andrew Yang and Kathryn Garcia,” PBA President Pat Lynch wrote to his 24,000 members Monday, according to a copy of the email obtained by The Post.
“Among the leading contenders, these are the candidates who have prioritized public safety and rejected the ‘Defund the Police’ ideology,” Lynch wrote.
“Under the new ranked-choice system, ranking a candidate at ANY position could benefit that candidate. If you do not find a candidate acceptable, do not rank that person. Ranking candidates other than Yang, Adams and Garcia could inadvertently help an anti-police candidate win,” Lynch added.
Civil rights attorney Maya Wiley is one of those anti-police candidates who wants to slash $1 billion from the NYPD’s budget and couldn’t answer a question at a recent debate about whether or not cops should be allowed to carry guns.
Under the city’s new ranked-choice system voters can list their top five candidates and the ballots will be tallied by first, second, third, fourth and fifth choice, eliminating the need for runoff elections.
The union does not plan to make an endorsement in the Democratic primary, according to a source.
Most of the Democrats consider Lynch’s support toxic due to his backing former President Donald Trump, history of controversial remarks, and staunch defense of the NYPD.
Yet Lynch wrote in his email that the union “has been in communication with several mayoral campaigns.
“We will continue that dialog so that the candidates understand that the city’s path to safety and economic recovery MUST include support for New York City police officers,” he wrote.
Andrew Yang accepted the endorsement of the Captain’s Endowment Association in Lower Manhattan Monday. The nod was a slap in the face to opponent and retired NYPD captain Eric Adams, who was once a member of the union.
When asked if he’d accept the backing of any other police unions, Yang was noncommittal.
A spokeswoman for Adams said, “Eric is not accepting any police union endorsement until they support real reform in the department. That is why he returned the PBA’s contribution last year. As mayor he will work with rank-and-file police officers to deliver safety and justice for New Yorkers.”
Adams has tried to balance his tough-on-crime stance with his policy of reforming the NYPD.
A rep for Garcia said, “The campaign did not seek the PBA endorsement and Kathryn does not want the PBA’s endorsement. Making New York safer depends on completely rebuilding the culture of the NYPD, including full transparency and zero tolerance for infractions. The PBA has never shown any interest in those changes that will ensure every New Yorker can feel safe and feel respected.”
A new poll has Adams in first place, Garcia in second, Wiley in third and Yang in fourth.