New York City’s political landscape was jolted on Sunday, September 28, 2025, when Mayor Eric Adams announced he was dropping out of the race for re-election, less than 40 days before voters head to the polls. Adams’ decision, delivered in a somber video message posted to social media, instantly reshaped the contest for leadership of the nation’s largest city and sent shockwaves through political circles from City Hall to Albany and beyond.
Adams, who had been struggling with low poll numbers and waning fundraising support, cited a recently dismissed federal corruption case and relentless media speculation about his future as key reasons for his withdrawal. "Despite all we’ve achieved, I cannot continue my reelection campaign," Adams said in the video, according to FOX 5 NY. He acknowledged the achievements of his administration, including efforts to make the city safer, more affordable, and more equitable, but ultimately concluded that the obstacles were insurmountable. "Constant media speculation" and the lingering effects of the legal case, he said, "made it impossible to raise enough money to run a serious campaign."
The mayor’s exit was not entirely unexpected. As Bloomberg noted, Adams had been facing enormous pressure to step aside, with political insiders speculating that a four-way race—between Adams, socialist frontrunner Zohran Mamdani, former Governor Andrew Cuomo, and Republican Curtis Sliwa—would almost certainly split the anti-Mamdani vote and hand victory to the left-wing challenger. Recent polls seemed to confirm those fears: a Suffolk University CityView Poll released just days before Adams’ announcement showed Mamdani commanding 45% support among likely voters, with Cuomo trailing at 25%. Adams was polling a distant fourth.
In his announcement, Adams did not endorse any of his rivals. Instead, he issued a stark warning about the direction the city might take if voters embraced what he called "insidious forces" determined to "advance divisive agendas." He cautioned, "That is not change, that is chaos." In a pointed appeal to New Yorkers, Adams urged them to "choose leaders not by what they promise, but by what they have delivered." He added, "I will keep fighting for the city, no matter what, because I am a New Yorker and fighting for our city is just what I do."
The mayor’s withdrawal has thrown open the door for Andrew Cuomo, who now becomes the leading challenger to Mamdani, with Sliwa also hoping to consolidate support from the city’s more conservative voters. Cuomo, in a statement posted to social media, acknowledged the difficulty of Adams’ decision and praised his resilience. "The choice Adams has made was not an easy one," Cuomo wrote, describing Adams’ story as "undeniably one of resilience, a testament to the spirit of the city." Like Adams, Cuomo warned of the risks posed by Mamdani’s campaign, saying, "We face destructive extremist forces that would devastate our city through incompetence or ignorance, but it is not too late to stop them."
Meanwhile, Zohran Mamdani, who has built his campaign around promises of sweeping social and economic change, responded to Adams’ departure by taking aim at the political establishment. In a statement reported by Fox News, Mamdani said, "Voters in November will turn the page on the politics of big money and small ideas." He later sharpened his criticism, declaring, "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."
Republican nominee Curtis Sliwa wasted no time in positioning himself as the only candidate who could stop Mamdani, posting on X (formerly Twitter), "I’m the only candidate who can defeat Mamdani." Sliwa’s campaign, though trailing in the polls, hopes that a narrower field will give him a fighting chance, especially among voters alarmed by the prospect of a socialist mayor.
The polling data paints a clear picture of the stakes. According to a Siena College and The New York Times poll conducted earlier in September, Mamdani held a commanding lead with 46% of likely voters, Cuomo had 24%, Sliwa 15%, and Adams just 9%. An earlier American Pulse poll from August put Mamdani at 37%, Cuomo at 25%, Sliwa at 17%, and Adams at 11%. Importantly, the data suggested that if both Adams and Sliwa left the race, Cuomo would absorb most of their support, potentially making the contest far more competitive.
The dynamics of the race have also attracted national attention. Former President Donald Trump, never shy about weighing in on New York politics, recently told reporters he believed Mamdani’s victory was inevitable unless the crowded field narrowed. "Cuomo might have a chance of winning if it was one-on-one," Trump said. "If you have more than one candidate running against Mamdani, it can’t be won."
Adams’ departure has not only reshaped the electoral map but also prompted reflection on his legacy. New York Governor Kathy Hochul, a fellow Democrat, praised Adams’ tenure and their partnership over the past four years. "For the last four years I’ve been proud to work with Mayor Adams to make New York City safer, stronger, and more affordable," Hochul said in a statement. She highlighted achievements such as the passage of the mayor’s City of Yes plan, expanded mental health services, and reductions in subway crime and illegal guns. "He leaves New York City better than he inherited it and that will always be central to his legacy as mayor," she said.
The backstory to Adams’ decision is as dramatic as the race itself. Reports surfaced earlier in September that allies of the Trump administration had approached Adams during a trip to Florida, floating the possibility of a federal government appointment if he exited the mayoral race. Adams initially left the door open, saying he would "always listen if called to serve our country" but had not received any "formal offers." He later called a press conference to reaffirm his commitment to the race, insisting, "I am in this race. And I am the only one who can beat Mamdani." Yet, as the campaign wore on and his prospects dimmed, Adams ultimately decided to step aside.
With Adams out, the contest now becomes a high-stakes showdown between Cuomo, Sliwa, and Mamdani—each representing starkly different visions for the future of New York City. The coming weeks promise to be a turbulent and consequential chapter in the city’s political history, as voters weigh the promises of radical change against the arguments for continuity and experience.
As the city braces for a pivotal election, one thing is clear: the race for New York City mayor is now wide open, and the outcome will shape the city’s direction for years to come.
