New York City Mayor Eric Adams has ended his bid for re-election, which was already facing a tough battle in the polls against his rivals.
This decision follows speculation that independent candidate Jim Walden might suspend his campaign after previously stepping back this month. Reports suggest that members close to former President Trump have discussed how Adams stepping away from the race could potentially benefit Andrew Cuomo against Zoran Mamdani.
Amid various corruption allegations, with claims of bribery and illegal campaign contributions, Adams attempted to salvage his dwindling reelection chances by shifting from the Democratic primary to the general election. Yet, his campaign failed to gain traction, and many voters have called for his resignation.
Now that Adams has exited the race, this could consolidate opposition towards the Democratic candidate Mamdani, who is a democratic socialist. Critics worry that votes against Mamdani may be divided among multiple candidates, including Adams, Cuomo, and Republican Curtis Sliwa.
Walden had urged other candidates to pause their campaigns, suggesting that this would create a stronger challenge against Mamdani in a direct contest. However, Adams and others had insisted they wouldn’t withdraw.
Cuomo, currently positioned second among the five candidates, believes Walden’s suggestion merits consideration.
The White House has reportedly been paying close attention to this race. According to the New York Times, discussions among Trump’s advisors have included offering jobs to Adams and Sliwa within the administration, potentially clearing a path for Cuomo.
There are reports that positions such as the Housing and Urban Development Bureau or an ambassadorship to Saudi Arabia could be on the table. While Adams was said to be weighing his options, he maintained publicly that he intended to remain in the race.
Trump and Adams have met several times; meanwhile, Sliwa has less connection to the former president and has stated he’s not interested in any administration roles, focusing instead on the campaign.
Previously, there were claims that Trump and Cuomo had a phone conversation about the race. Cuomo denied ever discussing the campaign with Trump and expressed his desire to stay away from it.
Adams faced significant hurdles before his indictment, with low approval ratings and criticism regarding his handling of issues like housing affordability and the city’s migrant situation.
Following his indictment last year—making him the first sitting New York City mayor to face such charges—the fallout has left him in a precarious position among constituents. While the charges were ultimately dismissed in a contentious and heavily scrutinized process, Adams hasn’t managed to rehabilitate his reputation, which makes his re-election unlikely just two months out from Election Day.
With Adams’s departure from the race, the field now narrows to three candidates: Mamdani, Cuomo, and Sliwa. In a predominantly Democratic city, Mamdani remains the frontrunner, but any anti-Mamdani votes may still be scattered between Cuomo and Sliwa.
