Mayor Eric Adams introduced on March 20, 2025 that veteran lawyer Randy Mastro would be part of his administration as the brand new first deputy mayor.
John McCarten/NYC Council Media Unit
Randy Mastro can be working for Mayor Eric Adams at Metropolis Corridor in spite of everything.
The mayor introduced late Thursday afternoon that Mastro would be part of the Adams administration as the brand new first deputy mayor. The appointment comes months after a failed effort to make Mastro—a former member of the Giuliani administration—town’s chief company counsel. The nomination, one of many few that requires Metropolis Council approval, become a firestorm of controversy over Mastro’s political ties and previous associations with Republican lawmakers and large companies.
This time round, nonetheless, no Council consent was required for Adams to faucet Mastro, a longtime affiliate, as the primary deputy mayor — who coordinates operational efforts throughout numerous companies and works to advance administrative priorities.
In saying Mastro’s appointment, Mayor Adams touted his previous efforts throughout the Giuliani administration, saying he has a “track record of success in the face of some of the city and nation’s most challenging times.” Mastro served below former Mayor Rudy Giuliani between 1994 and 1998 as deputy mayor for operations after which chief of employees to the mayor.
“I, and the whole team, welcome Randy to our administration and look forward to working side-by-side with him as we continue to lead the city forward and make New York City a safer, more affordable city that is the best place to raise a family.”
For his half, Mastro stated he was grateful for the chance to return and “serve the city again,” saying that he loves New York and desires to succeed.
“So much has been accomplished for New Yorkers during this administration when it comes to public safety, job growth, and affordable housing,” he stated in a press release. “I look forward to continuing to deliver a safe, affordable city and to improve the quality of life for all New Yorkers. I believe now, in particular, is a time to heed the call to public service, and I am excited to answer the call.”
A former assistant U.S. Legal professional specializing in organized crime circumstances, Mastro has extra just lately served as chair of the Residents Union, a nonpartisan good authorities group, and vice chair of the Authorized Help Society. He has additionally served on quite a few boards for establishments equivalent to CUNY, the YMCA, the Youngsters’s Museum of Manhattan, Hale Home, and the College of Pennsylvania Carey Regulation College.
However his ties to the Giuliani administration and conservative shoppers, together with former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and Chevron Oil, doomed Mastro’s nomination final 12 months as chief company counsel—an workplace that oversees the Regulation Division and represents the mayor, council, metropolis comptroller, public advocate, and the 5 borough presidents in authorized circumstances.
Throughout an eight-hour listening to earlier than the Metropolis Council, members bombarded Mastro with questions on his previous associations and clientele. Although Mastro famous that he was a lifelong Democrat, the fiery listening to in the end led him to request that Mayor Adams withdraw his nomination earlier than the Council. Mayor Adams as a substitute appointed Muriel Goode-Trufant as chief company counsel — a choose that the Council simply accredited.
Mastro now enters the Adams administration at a time when Hizzoner’s future in workplace seems grim.
Current polls had Adams’ approval ranking at 20% and much behind former Gov. Andrew Cuomo within the Democratic mayoral main. He additionally raised hardly any new marketing campaign funds within the first months of 2025.
Hypothesis has swirled as as to whether Adams will pursue a re-election bid in any respect. As just lately as Monday, the mayor insisted he would search a second time period in workplace, although he has but to formally declare — and left open the prospect of probably mounting an unbiased bid if he loses the Democratic main.
