Eric Adams Drops Out Of NYC Mayor’s Race Amid Pressure To Stop Socialist Takeover
New York City Mayor Eric Adams abruptly ended his re-election campaign Sunday, bowing out under mounting pressure to clear the field and stop socialist Zohran Mamdani from seizing City Hall.
The stunning announcement followed weeks of speculation over whether Adams, who was polling a distant fourth behind Mamdani, former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, and Republican nominee Curtis Sliwa, would stay in the race.
“It’s been an honor to be your mayor,” Adams said in a video message from Gracie Mansion. He touted his record on lowering crime, tackling the migrant crisis, and expanding housing before conceding, “I know I cannot continue my campaign.”
Adams declined to endorse any rival but took a swipe at Mamdani, warning New Yorkers about allowing “radical ideals” to run City Hall. In a draft speech obtained by The Post, he even knocked Cuomo as a flip-flopper “who cannot be trusted” — though that jab was scrubbed from the final version.
“This is not the end of my public service,” Adams vowed. “I will keep fighting for the city, no matter what… because I am a New Yorker and fighting for our city is just what I do.”
The decision comes after the city’s Campaign Finance Board repeatedly denied him millions in matching funds, leaving his campaign strapped for cash. Adams blamed the financial struggles on “never-ending rumor mills” about his future, along with lingering skepticism tied to his federal indictment.
Though President Trump’s Justice Department dropped the corruption case against him, Adams acknowledged many voters remained wary. In recent weeks, reports surfaced that Trump officials considered offering him a position — even floating an ambassadorship — but the White House only showed interest if Sliwa agreed to exit the race too.
Polls indicate Cuomo has the best shot of beating Mamdani head-to-head in November, though Sliwa has refused to quit, insisting it’s Cuomo who should step aside.
Even with his campaign suspended, Adams’ name will remain on the November ballot, as will that of fellow independent Jim Walden, who also ended his longshot bid.
Adams’ decision ensures his time as mayor ends after one turbulent term rather than a crushing defeat at the ballot box.
The former NYPD captain took office in 2022 as the city reeled from the pandemic and was immediately tested by a flood of migrants arriving from the southern border. Thanks to joint actions with the Trump administration, arrivals have since dropped from 4,000 a week to fewer than 100.
Crime also fell sharply under Adams and Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch, with shootings plunging to historic lows and more than 23,000 illegal guns seized. Adams leaned on Albany to toughen bail laws, opposed the “Raise the Age” law shielding teen offenders, and fought progressive measures like the “How Many Stops Act” and a solitary confinement ban — vetoes the left-wing City Council promptly overturned.
Housing remained a key focus, with his administration protecting 400,000 affordable units and launching plans to build one million more. He also created a first-of-its-kind Office to Combat Antisemitism.
But his mayoralty was plagued by scandal. Indicted last year on bribery and fraud charges tied to $100,000 in illegal contributions and perks from foreign contacts, Adams pleaded not guilty and called the case “lawfare.” His administration faced a string of embarrassing arrests, including top aide Ingrid Lewis-Martin, charged with multiple bribery and conspiracy counts, and longtime ally Winnie Greco, who handed a reporter a potato bag full of cash and later resigned after an FBI raid on her Bronx home.
Despite months of touting accomplishments with his “Jobs are up, crime is down” mantra, Adams couldn’t shake the cloud of corruption or fundraising woes.
“When you’re hearing every day that tomorrow Eric is leaving, tomorrow Eric is leaving six weeks out, it impacts your fundraising ability,” Adams lamented on “Sid & Friends in the Morning.”
Ultimately, Adams’ mayoralty ends not with swagger but with resignation — a one-term roller-coaster capped by scandal, failed deals, and the looming threat of a socialist takeover at City Hall.