Adams, potential NYC mayoral challengers to rally support at Puerto Rico conference day after Election Day

At his weekly press conference, Adams, who endorsed Vice President Harris for president and was a delegate at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, was asked who he was voting for and if he planned on attending the SOMOS conference. 

Last week, Adams raised eyebrows after repeatedly declining to criticize former President Trump, refusing to say when he last spoke with the Republican nominee or whether he was angling for a pardon should Trump win re-election.

The annual SOMOS conference begins Wednesday in San Juan. Adams attended in 2021 and 2022. He did not go last year. 

The indictment accuses Adams of accepting flight upgrades and other luxury travel perks valued at $100,000 along with illegal campaign contributions from a Turkish official and other foreign nationals looking to buy his influence. In exchange, prosecutors say, Adams performed favors benefiting the Turkish government, including pressuring the fire department in 2021 to approve the opening of a consulate that it deemed unsafe.

Adams held a different elected position at the time, Brooklyn borough president, but by then it was clear that he would become mayor.

Adams has pleaded not guilty to the charges. His federal trial will begin next April, a judge ruled Friday, right in the thick of his promised reelection campaign.

Mayoral hopefuls already held their first candidate forum in the Bronx on the first day of early voting, according to the outlet. New York City Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, city Comptroller Brad Lander, state Sens. Jessica Ramos and Zellnor Myrie, former city Comptroller Scott Stringer and Assembly Member Zohran Mamdani were among those at that meeting. 

Rumors suggest former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo will mount a mayoral bid. It's unclear if he'll attend SOMOS. 

U.S. District Judge Dale E. Ho set the mayor's trial date on Friday, as Adams returned to Manhattan federal court for a hearing on his bid to eliminate a key charge in the indictment that threatens his political future.

Ho said he's confident the April 21, 2025, date will hold, "assuming nothing unexpected comes up." At the same time, prosecutors said they still haven't been able to crack a potentially crucial piece of evidence: Adams' personal cellphone. According to his indictment, Adams changed his password just before giving the phone to authorities, then claimed he forgot it.

They argued the charge doesn't meet the U.S. Supreme Court's recently narrowed threshold for the crime and shouldn't apply to Adams because it involves allegations dating to before he became mayor.