New York City Mayor Eric Adams has announced the end of his reelection campaign with just over five weeks left until the election. Adams had run as an independent following the Democratic primary victory of Zohran Mamdani, a clearly left-leaning candidate who was the favorite in the polls.
“Despite all we have accomplished, I am no longer able to continue my reelection campaign. The constant speculation about my future in the media and the decision by the (municipal) Campaign Finance Board to withhold millions of dollars have impacted my ability to raise the funds necessary for a serious campaign,” Adams explained in a video posted on X.
The outgoing mayor has called for a campaign “for the marginalized, the abandoned, and those betrayed by the government” that cannot continue. Thus, he emphasized that “it has been an honor to be your mayor, and I can proudly say that the victory four years ago has materialized in actions that have made this a better city.”
A presidential appointment could be in Adams’ future, as he met with Trump advisor Steve Witkoff in Florida, and there is speculation that he may have been offered the position of ambassador to Saudi Arabia.
Adams’ withdrawal could favor Cuomo, the former Democratic governor of New York State and now an independent candidate, who has the backing of US President Donald Trump, also a New Yorker. However, all polls show Mamdani leading Cuomo by between 15 and 20 points for the November 4 election and an even larger lead over Republican Party candidate Curtis Sliwa.
Trump’s interventions in the campaign have been constant, with calls for Adams and Sliwa to withdraw and threats that he could “take over” New York or cut off federal funding if Mamdani, a self-proclaimed socialist, wins the election.
