New York City Mayor Eric Adams officially announced Sunday that he is ending his re-election bid, a move that shakes up November’s election.
In a nearly nine-minute video posted to X, Adams explained his decision to withdraw, citing fundraising hurdles and relentless speculation about his political future.
“Despite all we’ve achieved, I cannot continue my re-election campaign,” Adams said. “The constant media speculation about my future and the campaign finance board’s decision to withhold millions of dollars have undermined my ability to raise the funds needed for a serious campaign.”
Only in America. Only in New York.
— Eric Adams (@ericadamsfornyc) September 28, 2025
Thank you for making my story a reality. pic.twitter.com/efHuyBnITJ
It’s a striking reversal for the former Brooklyn borough president, who had only days earlier insisted he was “not going anywhere.”
Adams’ decision follows a turbulent year. In the beginning he had strong approval ratings, but his standing collapsed after federal prosecutors indicted him on corruption charges last fall. Though the charges were ultimately dropped by the Trump administration, the damage to his political brand was done.
Polls placed him in a distant fourth behind Democratic nominee Zohran Mamdani, Republican nominee Curtis Sliwa, and former governor Andrew Cuomo, who is running on a third-party line.
In Sunday’s announcement, Adams urged the city’s next leader to continue his work lowering the cost of living, investing in quality of life, and expanding public safety initiatives. “I always put you before me,” Adams told New Yorkers, calling on his successor to double down on policing, mental health, homelessness services, and community-based solutions.
Cuomo, who lost the Democratic primary to Mamdani and has been pitching himself as a centrist alternative, was quick to praise Adams.
“He is sincere in putting the well-being of New York City ahead of personal ambition,” Cuomo said in a statement. “Whatever differences we may have, Eric Adams’ story is undeniably one of resilience — a testament to the spirit of this city.”
Cuomo also took aim at Mamdani without naming him directly, warning of “destructive extremist forces” that he said could harm the city through “incompetence or ignorance.”
While Adams’ name will remain on the ballot due to filing deadlines, his decision is expected to consolidate non-Mamdani voters around Cuomo, potentially strengthening the former governor’s chances in a one-on-one matchup against the progressive state legislator.
Limited public polling suggested that Adams had not been a major factor for some time, drawing little support in a crowded field. Still, his departure could create new momentum in a race that remains unpredictable.
