On Sunday, September 28, 2025, New York City Mayor Eric Adams announced the abrupt end to his reelection campaign, sending shockwaves through the city’s political landscape and upending a race already marked by fierce divides and high stakes. The announcement came in a video posted to social media, where Adams, speaking from Gracie Mansion, reflected on his tenure, his achievements, and the mounting pressures that ultimately forced his hand.
“Despite all we’ve achieved, I cannot continue my reelection campaign,” Adams declared, his tone equal parts resolute and regretful. He listed his administration’s accomplishments: a significant drop in violent crime, the recovery of more than 23,000 illegal guns from city streets, and the creation of the first-of-its-kind Office to Combat Antisemitism. He also cited efforts to build housing and address the city’s migrant crisis. “I am proud to say that we took that victory four years ago and turned it into action—making this city better for those who had been failed by government,” Adams said, as reported by the New York Post.
Yet, even as he touted his record, Adams made clear that relentless “media speculation” about his future and a recent decision by the city’s Campaign Finance Board to withhold millions in public funds had left his campaign fatally wounded. “The constant media speculation about my future and the Campaign Finance Board’s decision to withhold millions of dollars have undermined my ability to raise the funds needed for a serious campaign,” he explained in the video, according to The Post. The board’s decision put Adams at a “massive disadvantage compared to his opponents,” a reality that proved insurmountable as the campaign wore on.
Adams’ campaign had already been battered by scandal and controversy. A now-dismissed federal bribery case had cast a long shadow over his administration, fueling doubts among voters and providing ammunition for political opponents. Adams addressed the case directly in his announcement, admitting, “I also know some remain unsure of me after the unfortunate events surrounding my federal case. I was wrongfully charged because I fought for this city—and if I had to do it again, I would fight for New York again.” He has consistently denied any wrongdoing, dismissing the charges as “lawfare.”
Despite the mounting challenges, Adams had insisted just days before that he would remain in the race, declaring that everyday New Yorkers don’t “surrender.” But behind the scenes, pressure was mounting—not just from political adversaries, but from within his own party and from national figures. According to The Post, both former President Donald Trump and White House officials had been engaged in “an extraordinary spate of backroom talks” aimed at persuading Adams—or Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa—to withdraw, in hopes of consolidating opposition to Democratic nominee Zohran Mamdani, a self-described socialist and the current frontrunner.
A Suffolk University/CityView poll conducted just days before Adams’ announcement painted a stark picture of his electoral prospects. Mamdani led with 45 percent, former Governor Andrew Cuomo trailed with 25 percent, Sliwa had 9 percent, and Adams found himself languishing in fourth place with just 8 percent. The poll also revealed the issues weighing most heavily on voters’ minds: affordability (21 percent), crime (20 percent), economy and jobs (14 percent), and housing (9 percent). Notably, nearly six in ten respondents (58 percent) said the economy was worse under President Trump than under President Biden, highlighting the national political undercurrents influencing the local race.
Adams’ withdrawal immediately sparked speculation about the impact on the remaining candidates. Former Governor Andrew Cuomo, running as an independent after being “embarrassingly trounced” by Mamdani in the Democratic primary, has positioned himself as the only centrist capable of defeating Mamdani in a one-on-one contest. Polling suggests that Cuomo’s chances improve considerably if the field narrows. However, Sliwa has vowed to remain in the race as the Republican standard-bearer, and his supporters have argued that it is Cuomo who should step aside. Mamdani, at just 33 years old, would be the city’s youngest and most liberal mayor in generations if elected, having campaigned on a promise to tackle the city’s soaring cost of living.
In his announcement, Adams did not endorse any of the remaining candidates, nor did he explicitly mention any by name. Instead, he issued a warning about the dangers of rising extremism in politics. “Major change is welcome and necessary, but beware of those who claim the answer is to destroy the very system we built over generations,” Adams cautioned. “That is not change, that is chaos. Instead, I urge leaders to choose leaders not by what they promise, but by what they have delivered.” He also took a swipe at politicians who “repeatedly flip-flop on issues,” though that pointed remark was omitted from the final version of his speech.
Adams’ first term was marked by both progress and controversy. He came into office in 2022 in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, inheriting a city reeling from economic and social upheaval. Under his leadership, the city made strides in public safety, housing, and combating antisemitism. His administration protected more than 400,000 affordable housing units and set an ambitious goal to build one million new homes. He also pushed for changes to state criminal justice reforms, often clashing with the progressive City Council, which overturned his vetoes on legislation such as the How Many Stops Act and a law banning solitary confinement in local jails.
But Adams’ tenure was also dogged by scandal. In addition to his own legal troubles, members of his administration faced criminal charges, including his longtime aide Ingrid Lewis-Martin and former election adviser Winnie Greco, whose actions raised eyebrows and fueled negative headlines. Adams stood by Lewis-Martin after her indictment, and Greco’s volunteer status was suspended after an incident involving a bag of cash.
Despite the setbacks, Adams remained steadfast in his commitment to public service. “Although this is the end of my campaign, this will not be the end of my public service,” he told New Yorkers. “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.” He pledged to continue advocating for justice and for the city’s most vulnerable residents, as he has for 40 years since joining the NYPD.
As the city looks ahead to the November 4 election, the race remains volatile and unpredictable. Cuomo and Sliwa are jockeying for position, while Mamdani’s campaign continues to surge. Adams’ name will remain on the ballot, but his exit marks the end of a tumultuous chapter in New York City politics—and the beginning of an uncertain new era. Whatever comes next, Adams’ legacy will be defined by both his achievements and the controversies that ultimately cut his mayoralty short.
