Longtime government official Maria Torres-Springer will replace NYC First Deputy Mayor Sheena Wright
Well-respected public servant Maria Torres-Springer will replace top City Hall official Sheena Wright, who officially resigned Tuesday — about a month after the feds seized her electronic devices.
Torres-Springer’s elevation to first deputy mayor was quickly praised by politicos as a much-needed dose of stability for an administration rocked by a wave of resignations while under intense federal scrutiny.
“Maria has more than two decades of experiences leading multiple city agencies and executing on one of the most successful housing and economic development agendas in the city’s history,” Mayor Eric Adams told reporters during his weekly press briefing from City Hall.
“I’m just really proud to have her in this critical role and during this critical time and providing the connective tissues across city government to advance priorities and ensure we are working together to deliver for New Yorkers.”
Adams has been under pressure from Gov. Kathy Hochul to boot problematic officials and replace them with competent bureaucrats.
Torres-Springer fits the bill, sources said.
Political Strategist Hank Sheinkopf told The Post that Adams’ move to promote Torres-Springer, the deputy mayor for housing, economic development and workforce, was about “ending chaos.”
“Having somebody who at least is competent and will lend some sense of stability becomes a critical thing to be worried about,” he said. “Someone has to be in charge so that things don’t look like they’re out of control.”
Torres-Springer, whose parents emigrated from the Philippines, lived in Section 8 housing, which she said gave her “firsthand” knowledge about affordable housing.
A veteran of the administrations of mayors Bill de Blasio and Michael Bloomberg, she had served as commissioner for Housing Preservation and Development – a role in which she oversaw financing for 60,000 affordable homes in just two years, the most in the agency’s history.
She began her tenure in Adams’ administration during January 2022, where she took the lead on the city’s economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.
In May 2023, she became deputy mayor for housing, economic development and workforce, where she reported to Wright.
“I came to this role, as the mayor mentioned, after serving nearly 20 years in government across three administrations, I come to this role, as well, carrying a deep and abiding love for our city,” Torres-Springer said Tuesday.
The decades of experience earned Torres-Springer plaudits from pols and business leaders alike.
“During her time in public service, she has always proven to be a smart, thoughtful, and committed leader,” said Councilman Keith Powers (D-Manhattan).
“She’s universally well-liked and considered highly capable.”
Kathryn Wylde, president and CEO for the Partnership for New York City, praised Torres-Springer as a highly qualified and good manager.
“She also provides continuity in terms of the policy agenda of the administration,” Wylde said. “All good, from our point of view!”
News of Wright’s imminent resignation broke last Friday, with one source saying “she’s leaving because she’s being shown the door.”
Adams dismissed claims that the high-profile departures were connected to the federal investigations seemingly gutting his top staff.
“Can you imagine being a head of an agency or head of a business and saying, ‘No we’re never getting more resignations,’ people come in and out of government,” he said Tuesday.
Adams described Wright, who has not been accused of wrongdoing, as a “great New Yorker” and thanked her for her service.
“I wish her well in all future endeavors. One of the biggest endeavors she has is, she’s married now, and so congratulations and a job well done.”
