Eric Adams Drops Out of NYC Mayoral Race, Mamdani Emerges as Leading Candidate
With Adams out, the New York mayoral race narrows to Zahran Mamdani, Andrew Cuomo, and Curtis Sliwa
New York City Mayor Eric Adams announced Sunday that he is withdrawing from his troubled re-election campaign, less than a month before Election Day.
In a video posted on X, Adams said it had become impossible to run a viable campaign after the city’s Campaign Finance Board withheld millions in matching funds over questionable donations. He also acknowledged that corruption allegations had eroded trust among some New Yorkers. “I’ve been falsely accused because I fought for this city,” Adams declared, “and if I had to do it again, I would fight for New York again.”
His withdrawal reshapes the race for leadership of the nation’s largest city into a three-way contest between Democratic candidate Zahran Mamdani, former Governor Andrew Cuomo, and Republican contender Curtis Sliwa.
Mamdani Leads After Adams’ Exit, Cuomo and Sliwa Trail
Mamdani, a democratic socialist, called the move a turning point, vowing that on November 4 New Yorkers will “turn the page on big money politics and small ideas.” He argued that while billionaires may influence Adams and Cuomo, they would not decide the outcome of this election.
Sliwa’s campaign emphasized his agenda to help workers manage the city’s high costs and improve safety, claiming he is the strongest challenger to Mamdani.
Cuomo praised Adams’ decision as an act of putting “New York City’s interests above personal ambition.” Other Democratic leaders, including House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Governor Kathy Hochul, highlighted Adams’ record in reducing violent crime, boosting affordable housing, and leading the city’s recovery from COVID-19.
Recent polls showed Mamdani leading Cuomo by more than 20 points in a four-way race. With Adams now out, Mamdani maintains a commanding lead over Cuomo, leaving Sliwa trailing further behind.
