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[media-credit name=”Alejandra Villa Loarca / Newsday via Getty Images” link=”https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/politics-news/eric-adams-drops-out-mayoral-race-new-york-city-rcna229436″ width=1000 align=”center”]
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New York City Mayor Eric Adams unexpectedly announced on Sunday that he is abandoning his campaign for a second term—a dramatic turn just five weeks before Election Day. But despite the withdrawal, his name will remain on the ballot for the November general election, since the deadline to drop a candidacy has already passed.
In a video posted to social media, Adams cited “constant media speculation” and the city’s Campaign Finance Board decision to withhold public matching funds as key reasons for his exit.
He acknowledged the achievements of his term—reductions in violent crime, housing efforts, and post-pandemic economic recovery—but said he could no longer sustain a viable campaign. Adams had already switched course earlier in the year: After declining to compete in the Democratic primary, he chose to run as an independent under the “Safe & Affordable” ballot line.
Yet polling showed him trailing well behind front-runners, and fundraising challenges had been mounting. With Adams out of the active race, the contest in November now tilts more sharply toward Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic nominee, and Andrew Cuomo, running independently.
Whilst Adams will not campaign further, analysts note his residual presence (via name on the ballot) might still complicate vote distributions in a tight race.
As the city braces for a redefined mayoral showdown, Adams framed his departure as a reluctant but necessary step, saying: “I cannot continue my reelection campaign.”
