Eric Adams Drops Out of New York City Mayoral Race

He announced his decision in an eight-minute video posted online.

NYC Mayor Eric Adams listens as names of the victims of the 9/11 terror attack are read during the annual 9/11 Commemoration Ceremony at the National 9/11 Memorial and Museum on September 11, 2025 in New York City.
Image via Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images

New York City Mayor Eric Adams has announced that he's ended his bid for reelection in the city's mayoral race.

Adams announced that he's leaving the race with an eight-minute video posted to X on Sunday (Sept. 28), saying, "Despite all we've achieved, I cannot continue my reelection campaign.”

“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 continued.

Adams’ term as mayor since January 2022 has been mired in scandal, including allegations of corruption. He was indicted in 2024 on charges of conspiracy, fraud, soliciting illegal campaign contributions, and bribery but denied any wrongdoing, and the Department of Justice dropped the charges in April.

"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," Adams said in the video shared online. Per CBS News, his name will still appear on the ballot in November.

Until his announcement, Adams was insistent that he would still run for reelection as an independent.

His withdrawal means the race is now between state representative Zohran Mamdani and former New York City Gov. Andrew Cuomo, both Democrats, and Guardian Angels founder Curtis Sliwa, a Republican.

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