New York Mayor Eric Adams May Withdraw from Reelection Race

New York Mayor Eric Adams (D) might exit his reelection campaign over the weekend, which could enhance Andrew Cuomo’s chances against Zoran Mamdani.

“Despite all our achievements, I cannot continue my reelection campaign,” Adams stated in a Sunday announcement. “Ongoing media speculation about my future and the Campaign Finance Committee’s choice to withhold millions have hindered my efforts to secure necessary funding for a viable campaign.”

He expressed concerns about the rise of political “extremism,” which seemed aimed at Democratic candidate Mamdani, warning New Yorkers. “Our children are being radicalized to harbor resentment towards our cities and our country. Political anger has escalated into political violence,” he added.

“While significant changes can be positive and essential, we must be cautious of those who believe the solution is to dismantle the systems we have built over generations. That kind of thinking only leads to confusion,” Adams remarked.

As of now, Adams has not voiced support for any of the remaining candidates.

Mamdani’s competitors include former New York Governor Cuomo (D), who is running with third-party support, and Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa.

Related: Trump criticizes Hochul for backing “communist” Mamdani: “There’s no reason to waste good money.”

Adams’ potential departure from the race might give Cuomo a better chance, though some analysts suggest it may not be enough.

In a July opinion poll, Mamdani held a 23-point lead over Adams. Cuomo appeared to have more favorable odds than both Adams and Sliwa, but Mamdani was still reported to be leading by three points.

“Cuomo represents the strongest challenge to Mamdani, but for him to win, both Sliwa and Adams must drop out, and voter turnout from previous mayoral elections needs to be promoted significantly,” the poll indicated.

Further polling data showed Mamdani maintaining a lead of 4-10 points, although other polls suggested Cuomo could potentially secure a victory by margins ranging from 1 to 15 points.

Related: Is Trump meddling in Mamdani’s campaign?

Cuomo reacted to Adams’ decision, reflecting that it was a “difficult” choice. “We are up against destructive extremists who harm our cities with their incompetence and ignorance, but it’s never too late to take action against them,” he shared in a post on X.

Mamdani mentioned in a statement that Adams’ exit would likely have minimal impact. “I think the race will remain quite similar,” he noted.