Insiders predict Lazarus-like resurrection for NYC Mayor Adams as criminal case gets tossed, but others say: His cake is cooked

He’s back from the dead — or is he?Mayor Eric Adams could see a “Lazarus”-like political resurrection now that he’s free from his criminal case, especially if the tarnished Democrat runs for re-election as an independent, insiders told The Post Wednesday.An independent run would give Adams more time to build the campaign operation that he so far hasn’t for the Democratic primary in June, owing to the corruption case hanging over his head, the politicos said.“I don’t see how in three months he can win the Democratic primary,” said former Gov.David Paterson.

“But an independent candidacy is an interesting play.”“If he can raise the money and move up in the polls, it will send the message that he’s Lazarus — and coming back a lot faster than Lazarus did,” Paterson chuckled, referring to the New Testament figure miraculously resurrected by Jesus Christ.But not all operatives were as optimistic about Adams’ future in New York City politics.Some, in the words of one analysts, still see him as a “dead man walking.”“His cake is cooked and it’s not like people believe he’s innocent… If he was exonerated in a trial it may be different,” said another political operative.The political fallout from the corruption case’s dismissal remained to be seen Wednesday, but Adams wasted no time in trying to put the ordeal behind him and refocus on his re-election campaign.The mayor first gave a valedictory address from Gracie Mansion — declaring “I’m going to win” from its steps — and then agreed to participate in a mayoral candidate forum Thursday for the Rev.

Al Sharpton’s National Action Network.But many practical questions remained about Adams’ mostly nonexistent campaign, where he badly trails frontrunner former Gov.Andrew Cuomo and runner-up democratic socialist Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani both in the polls and in recent fundraising.For Adams to even make it on the Democratic primary ballot, he has until midnight Thursd...