"I ran a-5 borough movement, not just a campaign," says Eric Adams as AP declares him winner of Democratic mayoral primary

Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams, winner of the just concluded Democratic mayoral primary for the New York City, has expressed his appreciation to the New Yorkers.

Adams triumphed over a large Democratic field in New York’s first major race to use ranked choice voting.

He attributed his electoral success to the collective support from the New Yorkers who believe in him.

Appreciating New Yorkers, Adams said, “I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: this wasn’t simply a campaign, it was a five-borough movement of working-class New Yorkers coming together for a safer, stronger, healthier City. And our strength and message is why we won.”

He added, “There are so many folks I need to thank, but tonight I want to thank the voters of NYC. Regardless of if I was your 1st choice, 5th choice, or not on your ballot, thank you. I’ll be proud to work with you, for you, and alongside you as we work towards a better future.”

“And I’m honored to be the Democratic nominee to be the Mayor of the city I’ve always called home,” Adams said.

Meanwhile Adams’ remaining rivals, Kathryn Garcia and Maya Wiley, have officially conceded to defeat.

The two candidates conceded to defeat hours after new figures from the Board of Elections showed Adams taking a likely insurmountable lead of more than 8,000 votes.

“This campaign has come closer than any other moment in history to breaking that glass ceiling and selecting New York City’s first female mayor,” Garcia said.

She added, “We cracked the hell out of it! And it’s ready to be broken.”

She said she had called Adams to congratulate him on his victory.

“This is only the second time a black New Yorker has been elected mayor of the city and that has tremendous meaning for so many New Yorkers, particularly black people,” said Wiley.

Adams still must beat Republican nominee Curtis Sliwa, a former radio talk show host, in November to become the Big Apple’s next mayor — but he is heavily favored in the general election as Democrats dominate politics across the five boroughs

The former police captain would be the city’s second Black mayor if elected.