While avoiding weighing in on races for Congress, Mayor Eric Adams is not staying on the sidelines of critical state Senate races this election cycle.

This week, he threw his weight behind a controversial candidate in a Brooklyn state Senate race.

The mayor endorsed Rev. Conrad Tillard, a political newcomer over the Democratic incumbent Jabari Brisport. Since the endorsement, the New York Daily News reported on incendiary comments made by Tillard during his time as a member of the Nation of Islam against abortion, gay marriage and Jewish people.

What You Need To Know

  • The mayor endorsed Rev. Conrad Tillard in a Brooklyn state Senate race, who has a history of making controversial statements on abortion, same-sex marriage and Jewish people

  • Adams also endorsed candidates Elizabeth Crowley in state Senate District 59 and Jessica Scarcella-Spanton in the race for an open seat on Staten Island and South Brooklyn.

  • And he held a fundraiser this week for Miguelina Camilo in the competitive state Senate District 36 in the Bronx. Camilo is looking to unseat incumbent state Sen. Gustavo Rivera.

  • Early voting is underway this week. Primary day is Tuesday, Aug. 23.

Brisport responded to Tillard’s decades-old controversial comments, saying that his challenger still thinks the same way, and is trying to appeal to conservative voters.

“This is who he is now. He appeals to reactionary right-wing voters,” said Brisport.

“It’s really indicative of the mayor’s agenda, which is to ensure he has as many allies as possible for his agenda of defunding schools and locking up more people as possible,” he added.

Adams’ team, in response to the controversy, went on the defensive.

“I strongly disagree with those remarks, but I believe the Rev. Tillard of today is a lot different than the man who said those things decades ago. Since then, Rev. Tillard has been a minister and pastored prominent churches,” the mayor’s campaign said in a statement.

Tillard also put out a statement on Wednesday in his defense saying the comments are decades old and don’t reflect the man he is today.

Separately, Adams has also endorsed Elizabeth Crowley in state Senate District 59, that covers Manhattan and Queens, and held a fundraiser for Miguelina Camilo in the competitive state Senate District 36 in the Bronx. He’s also backing Jessica Scarcella-Spanton in the race for an open seat on Staten Island and South Brooklyn.

The endorsements are in line with Adams’ view on public safety.

“He needs partners in the legislature to do that. So I’m a person who I think will be the kind of support that the Mayor of New York City needs and people in the state of New York. Let’s face it, we’ve got to keep the people of our state safe,” said Tillard in regard to his commitment to helping the Mayor curb gun violence.

The mayor’s early track record for his endorsements is mixed.

Back in May, he endorsed a former staffer, Hercules Reid, for a special election in Flatbush, Brooklyn, who ended up losing. Meanwhile, Adams endorsed Michael Benedetto for his re-election bid, which he successfully won in June.

In a week’s time, the mayor’s political influence will be tested.

Early voting is underway this week. Primary day is Tuesday, Aug. 23.