Democrat Eric Adams defeated Republican Curtis Sliwa to become New York City’s next mayor, according to a projection from The Associated Press. “The polls are officially closed in NYC,” Adams wrote on Twitter. “To our supporters, volunteers & endorsers of all backgrounds, faiths & from every corner of NYC: Thank you, from the very bottom of my heart, for being a part of our team. Tonight, we celebrate—because tomorrow, the real work begins!” Adams, the current Brooklyn Borough president and former police captain, was considered the overwhelming favorite to win the mayoral race after emerging victorious in the Democratic primary earlier this year. He will replace Mayor Bill de Blasio, also a Democrat, in January. When taking office, he will be faced with choices about whether to continue, or expand, vaccine mandates put in place by de Blasio, a Democrat who was limited by law to two terms. As a …