What political posts lead to becoming New York City mayor?

There are a lot of curses when it comes to being New York City mayor, including how tough it is to move on to higher office. City & State has written about how it’s difficult for New York City Council speakers to ascend to Gracie Mansion, and about how city comptrollers often run for mayor and lose. So how the heck do you get the job? Here’s a look at the previous political experience of each post-World War II mayor.

William O’Dwyer (1946-1950)

He served two stints as Brooklyn district attorney from 1940-1945, interrupted midway through with service in World War II, and unsuccessfully ran for mayor in 1941.

Vincent Impellitteri (1950-1953)

When O’Dwyer resigned to become ambassador to Mexico, Vincent Impellitteri, who had served as New York City Council president since 1946 and had been acting mayor during O’Dwyer’s “frequent vacations,” was elected mayor on the Experience Party line.

Robert F. Wagner Jr. (1954-1965)

In his long public service career, Robert F. Wagner Jr. was an Assembly member, fought in World War II, and then worked as city tax commissioner, Housing and Building commissioner and City Planning Commission chair. But he served as Manhattan borough president immediately before his election as mayor.

John Lindsay (1966-1973)

John Lindsay worked in the U.S. Department of Justice before being a member of the House of Representatives, where he served for six years before being elected mayor.

Abraham Beame (1974-1977)

Abe Beame is the last New York City comptroller to be elected mayor, though many others have tried since then.

Ed Koch (1978-1989)

Ed Koch was a one-term New York City Council member before being a member of the House of Representatives for the eight years that preceded his election as mayor.

David Dinkins (1990-1993)

David Dinkins served as city clerk for 10 years and then was Manhattan borough president from 1986 through 1989 before leading the city.

Rudy Giuliani (1994-2001)

He made his name as U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York and unsuccessfully ran for mayor in 1989 but was victorious four years later.

Michael Bloomberg (2002-2013)

He made his fortune as CEO of Bloomberg LP in the decades leading up to his election.

Bill de Blasio (2014-2021)

Bill de Blasio was in the New York City Council for eight years and then won the mayoralty after serving as the city’s third public advocate.

Eric Adams (2022-Present)

He was previously an NYPD officer and spent six years in the state Senate before being Brooklyn borough president for eight years.