New York City Mayor Eric Adams has officially ended his campaign for a second term, just weeks before the November 4 election. Facing a federal bribery indictment, plummeting approval ratings, and financial struggles after being denied public matching funds, Adams announced his withdrawal in a nine-minute video posted on X. In the clip, he echoed his 2021 victory moment by carrying a photo of his late mother while walking to Frank Sinatra’s “My Way.”
Adams, who will finish his current term through January 1, 2026, did not endorse another candidate. Instead, he warned against “chaos” from political movements seeking to dismantle established systems, a thinly veiled jab at frontrunner Zohran Mamdani.
Mamdani, a progressive state legislator and self-described democratic socialist, has gained strong grassroots momentum with his leftist platform, unsettling New York’s business community and moderates within the Democratic Party. He is currently leading in polls, while Adams and Republican Curtis Sliwa trailed with single-digit support. Former Governor Andrew Cuomo, running as an independent, has now become Mamdani’s main challenger.
President Donald Trump, who previously suggested Adams and Sliwa drop out to prevent Mamdani’s rise, welcomed Adams’ decision. Trump told Reuters that Adams’ exit boosts Cuomo’s chances, noting, “I do welcome it.” Cuomo echoed that sentiment, urging voters to reject “extremist forces” he claims could harm the city.
Adams’ tenure as mayor was marred by controversy, particularly his cooperation with Trump’s immigration enforcement policies, which angered many Democrats. His indictment made him the first sitting NYC mayor to face federal criminal charges, though the case was later dropped under controversial circumstances.
With Adams out, the mayoral race now centers on Mamdani’s progressive surge versus Cuomo’s comeback attempt, setting the stage for a high-stakes election that could redefine New York City’s political future.