Yikes! Why Did New York City Mayor Eric Adams Drop His Reelection Campaign?

Roomies, it looks like we won’t see Eric Adams in the office again. The New York City mayor ended his struggling reelection campaign on Sunday. Dropping out acknowledges that he was no longer a credible option after a year of scandal and political turmoil. Will NYC rejoice or grieve the Adams era? Reactions are still pouring in, especially about Adams’ viral drop-out announcement.

RELATED: New York City Mayor Eric Adams Reportedly Indicted On Federal Corruption & Bribery Charges (VIDEOS)

Eric Adams Drops Out Of New York City Mayor Race

In a video released on social media, Eric Adams spoke proudly of his tenure as mayor of New York City. But he said his now-dismissed federal corruption case left voters hesitant about him. Additionally, the politician claimed “constant media speculation” about his future made raising enough money to run a serious campaign impossible.

“Despite all we’ve achieved, I cannot continue my reelection campaign,” Adams said.

The NYC mayor did not endorse any remaining candidates in the race. However, he warned of “insidious forces” using local government to “advance divisive agendas.”

“That is not change, that is chaos,” Adams said. “Instead, I urge New Yorkers to choose leaders not by what they promise, but by what they have delivered.”

The Last Year Has Been Whooping Adams!

Speculation that Eric Adams wouldn’t make it to Election Day has been rampant for a year. His campaign was severely hurt by both the bribery case and liberal anger over his warm relationship with President Donald Trump. He skipped the Democratic primary and got on the ballot as an independent.

Adams, 65, is the city’s second Black mayor. A former New York City police captain and Brooklyn borough president, he took office in 2022. At the time, he promised to crack down on crime and revitalize a city still bouncing back from the coronavirus pandemic. He succeeded on his signature issue. Crime rates that ticked upward after COVID-19 hit the city have fallen back to pre-pandemic levels. However, it’s unclear how much that was due to Adams’ policies.

Still, scandals and corruption probes have crippled Eric Adams’ chances at another term. Over some weeks last year, his police commissioner, schools chancellor and several deputy mayors resigned following a series of federal raids on their homes. None has faced criminal charges.

Then, in late September 2024, federal prosecutors brought fraud and bribery charges against Eric Adams, accusing him of accepting illegal campaign contributions and steep travel discounts from a Turkish official and others. In exchange, the New York City mayor allegedly accelerated the opening of Turkey’s diplomatic building, among other favors.

Meanwhile, Adams denied wrongdoing and pledged to remain in office. He also began speaking warmly about Trump, who was projected then to take the White House–and later did.  He defended Trump in media briefings, urged his party to tone down rhetoric against the Republicans, and refrained from criticizing him.

After Trump won, Eric Adams met with Trump’s border czar, Thomas Homan. Then, in February, Trump’s Justice Department ordered federal prosecutors in New York to drop the charges against Eric Adams so the mayor could assist with the Republican president’s immigration agenda. The intervention shook the table at City Hall, with some claiming the NYC mayor had struck a deal with the White House for his freedom.

Adams announced he would skip the June Democratic primary but stay in the race. In late August, Adams’ former top adviser — who served as a campaign volunteer — was hit with fresh bribery charges. Another former aide was removed from the campaign after handing a local reporter a potato chip bag full of cash.

Who Are The Remaining Mayoral Candidates? 

The end of Eric Adams’ run could potentially lift the campaign of former Gov. Andrew Cuomo. He portrayed himself as the only candidate able to beat the Democratic Party’s nominee, state Assembly member Zohran Mamdani. It is unclear whether enough Adams supporters will shift their support to Cuomo to make a difference.

If elected, Mamdani, 33, would be the city’s youngest and most liberal mayor in generations. He beat Cuomo decisively in the Democratic primary by campaigning on a promise to lower the cost of living in one of the world’s most expensive cities.
Mamdani, Cuomo, and Republican Curtis Sliwa remain in the mayoral race.

In a statement after Eric Adams’ announcement, Zohran Mamdani aimed at Andrew Cuomo. Cuomo is trying to make a political comeback after resigning from the governor’s office in 2021 following accusations of sexual harassment by multiple women.

“New York deserves better than trading in one disgraced, corrupt politician for another. On November 4th, we are going to turn the page on the politics of big money and small ideas and deliver a government every New Yorker can be proud of,” Mamdani said.

Cuomo, in a social media statement, praised Adams for “putting the well-being of New York City ahead of personal ambition.”

He added, “We face destructive extremist forces that would devastate our city through incompetence or ignorance, but it is not too late to stop them,” Cuomo said.

As mentioned, Sliwa also remains in the race. However, his candidacy has been undercut by his own party. For example, Trump, in a recent interview, called him “not exactly prime time.” Still, Sliwa has repeatedly insisted he will not quit.

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Associated Press Writers Jake Offenhartz and Anthony Izaguirre contributed to this report via AP Newsroom.