Mayor Eric Adams has formally withdrawn from New York City’s mayoral race, ending weeks of speculation about whether he would bow out as pressure mounted to prevent socialist candidate Zohran Mamdani from capturing City Hall.
Adams, who was seeking a second term, had been polling in fourth place. His decision follows private appeals from national and local figures who feared a divided field would cement Mamdani’s lead.
In a video address, obtained by The Post, Adams acknowledged his achievements during his first term but said he could no longer continue his campaign.
“It has been an honor to be your mayor,” he said. “Although we’ve had successes, I know I cannot continue this race.”
The outgoing mayor urged whoever succeeds him to carry forward policies he believes improved the city, including measures on crime reduction, housing and migrant support.
Adams refrained from backing another contender but warned against electing leaders who, in his words, “launder radical ideals” or “flip-flop when it matters most.”
His remarks appeared aimed at Mamdani and former governor Andrew Cuomo, who are now positioned as the dominant figures in the contest alongside Republican nominee Curtis Sliwa.
The announcement marks a stunning reversal for Adams, who just weeks ago had insisted he was “not going anywhere” despite mounting calls to step aside.
Behind the scenes, conversations reportedly involved White House officials, Trump allies and party leaders, all concerned that Mamdani’s campaign was gaining unstoppable momentum.
The decision ensures Adams’ tenure at City Hall will end after a single term rather than with an expected defeat at the ballot box.
Adams entered office in January 2022, succeeding Bill de Blasio, with promises to restore “swagger” to the mayoralty and rebuild a city scarred by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Within months, he faced a new emergency as thousands of migrants began arriving from the southern U.S. border, straining New York’s housing and welfare systems.
By late 2023, more than 4,000 migrants were arriving each week. Joint policy actions with federal authorities later brought that figure below 100 per week by early 2025.
Adams also emphasized crime reduction as a central theme of his tenure, crediting Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch and the NYPD for historic declines in shootings.
Under his administration, officers removed more than 23,000 illegal firearms from city streets, while overall violent crime fell significantly compared to pandemic-era highs.
On housing, Adams’ team protected 400,000 affordable units and launched a strategy intended to support construction of one million new homes across the five boroughs.
But his tenure was dogged by scandal and corruption probes that overshadowed his policy agenda and eroded public trust.
In September last year, Adams was indicted on five counts, including bribery and fraud, after prosecutors accused him of accepting more than $100,000 in illegal contributions and travel perks.
The case alleged that foreign officials, including a Turkish representative, sought to purchase influence through improper benefits to the mayor’s campaign.
Adams denied the charges, pleaded not guilty, and accused prosecutors of conducting “lawfare” against him.
The troubles deepened as members of his inner circle faced separate indictments. Ingrid Lewis-Martin, his longtime aide, was charged last month with conspiracy and bribery in four separate cases.
Prosecutors said Lewis-Martin exchanged political favors for $75,000 in cash, seafood and even help securing her son a luxury car. She had already faced earlier bribery charges in late 2024.
Winnie Greco, another close ally and former top adviser, also drew headlines after bizarrely handing a journalist a potato bag stuffed with cash during the campaign season.
Greco resigned in October 2024 amid a Department of Investigation probe into whether she exploited her position for personal perks. Her Bronx home was raided earlier that year.
Though Adams was not implicated in those cases, the scandals battered his reputation and cast doubt over his leadership.
Despite months of campaigning on the mantra “Jobs are up, crime is down,” the controversies surrounding his administration never subsided.
Speculation also swirled that Adams had explored opportunities in a potential Trump administration, further complicating his standing within the Democratic Party.
The mayor himself lamented the constant rumors about his political future, saying they harmed fundraising and public confidence.
“When you’re hearing every day that Eric is leaving tomorrow, it impacts your ability to run a campaign,” he said recently on WABC radio.
“I’m not saying woe is me. I’m saying, why not me? Because I’ve done a great job for the city.”
With his withdrawal now official, Adams will serve out the remainder of his term before leaving City Hall — a departure marked less by triumph than by controversy and unfinished battles.
