TL;DR : New York City Mayor Eric Adams ended his campaign for re-election, citing media pressure and lack of funds. His exit leaves the race mainly between Democrat Zohran Mamdani and independent candidate Andrew Cuomo. Adams had faced corruption charges (later dropped) and controversy over ties to Trump.
🔹 Key Points
Adams Ends Re-Election Campaign
- On September 28, 2025, Mayor Eric Adams announced he would no longer run for re-election.
- “Despite all we’ve achieved, I cannot continue my reelection campaign,” Adams said in a video.
- He cited "constant media speculation" and financial difficulties after the Campaign Finance Board denied public matching funds.
Corruption Charges and Legal Troubles
- Adams was indicted in September 2024 on charges including wire fraud and bribery.
- The U.S. Department of Justice dropped the case in April 2025, citing conflict with Trump’s immigration agenda.
- A judge described the dismissal as “disturbing” and suggested it may have been part of a political deal.
No Endorsement, Warning About Extremism
- Adams did not endorse any other candidate.
- He warned voters: “Major change is welcome and necessary, but beware of those who claim the answer [is] to destroy the very system we built over generations. That is not change. That is chaos.”
Race Now Centers on Mamdani, Cuomo, and Sliwa
- Democratic nominee Zohran Mamdani is leading in polls.
- Andrew Cuomo is running as an independent after losing the Democratic primary.
- Republican Curtis Sliwa remains in the race.
- Adams’ name will still appear on the ballot, but he is not campaigning.
Trump’s Involvement and Reactions
- Trump denied encouraging any candidates to drop out but later welcomed Adams’ decision.
- Trump reportedly favored Adams stepping down to boost Cuomo’s chances against Mamdani.
- Trump called Mamdani “a 100% Communist Lunatic” and falsely claimed he is in the U.S. illegally (Mamdani is a naturalized U.S. citizen).
Public and Political Fallout
- Reactions have been mixed, some praised Adams' decision, others criticized his record.
- Supporters like Bill Ackman praised Adams’ tenure, while critics questioned his leadership and policies.
Adams to Serve Out Term
- Adams will stay in office until the end of 2025.
- His campaign struggled with low polling numbers and fundraising issues before ending.