In a stunning reversal after months of uncertainty, New York City Mayor Eric Adams officially announced on Sunday, September 28, 2025, that he is suspending his re-election campaign and dropping out of the contest for a second term.
The Announcement
Adams made the announcement through a video message, in which he acknowledged both his achievements and the mounting pressures on his campaign. “Although our successes … I know I cannot continue my campaign,” Adams said, placing a photo of his mother beside him as he spoke.
He did not immediately endorse another candidate, but he urged whoever takes over City Hall to carry forward “what we’ve done.”
Though he declared his campaign ended, Adams’s name will still appear on the November 4 ballot.
Why He Quit: Key Factors
While Adams framed his decision as one made with reluctance and reflection, multiple pressures converged to force his hand. Analysts and insiders point to several critical factors:
1. Dismal Polling and Weak Momentum
Adams had been languishing at the bottom of polling among the crowded field. His support was eclipsed by progressive favorite Zohran Mamdani, former Governor Andrew Cuomo, and Republican challenger Curtis Sliwa.
2. Funding and Campaign Strains
Reports suggest Adams faced difficulties raising money and sustaining campaign infrastructure, particularly given negative media speculation and donor uncertainty.
3. Outside Offers & Political Maneuvering
In the weeks leading up to his decision, there were unconfirmed but persistent whispers of behind-the-scenes efforts to entice Adams out of the race. Some sources claimed that Trump administration allies had floated a potential federal appointment or ambassadorship if he bowed out.
Adams had previously denied receiving formal offers but admitted he would listen to “calls to serve.”
4. Political Calculus & Strategic Retreat
Adams’s decision also reflects the reality that he no longer appeared to hold a viable path to victory. Some speculated that he concluded the prudent course was to bow out rather than watch his campaign falter further.
Implications For The Mayoral Race
The withdrawal of an incumbent mayor less than two months before Election Day transforms the dynamics of the 2025 New York City mayoral contest:
- Fewer challengers to consolidate against Mamdani. With Adams gone, the clearest remaining alternatives to Mamdani are Andrew Cuomo and Curtis Sliwa. (FOX 5 New York)
- Opportunities for vote realignment. Voters who had considered Adams now must re-evaluate their choices, raising the stakes for which candidate can capture the moderate- and independent-leaning bloc.
- Pressure on Cuomo. Cuomo may benefit most from Adams’s exit, as much of Adams’s base likely overlapped with Cuomo’s. But he must now prove he can unify the center.
- Maintaining progressive momentum. Mamdani, the progressive front-runner, may see fewer roadblocks as opponents drop out, though questions persist about whether his appeal can broaden enough to win a general election.
A Legacy Interrupted
Eric Adams’s tenure as mayor, beginning in 2022, has been marked by a blend of bold initiatives and enduring controversies. His supporters cite reductions in crime, reforms to address homelessness and mental health, and efforts to manage influxes of migrants. (New York Post)
However, his administration was also marred by scandal. In late 2024, Adams was indicted on federal charges of bribery, fraud, and solicitation of illegal foreign campaign contributions. Those charges were later dropped by the DOJ under the Trump administration. (Wikipedia)
His political pivot earlier in 2025—opting out of the Democratic primary to run as an independent—signaled that his path within conventional party structures had narrowed.
By stepping away now, Adams becomes a one-term mayor, joining the short list of New York mayors who were unable to secure re-election under challenging circumstances.
What’s Next?
As the campaign resets, attention now turns to how Cuomo and Sliwa will reposition themselves and whether momentum continues to favor Mamdani. The race is less crowded, but not necessarily less volatile.
- Will Cuomo consolidate moderates and independent voters fast enough?
- Can Sliwa, the Republican candidate, make inroads in a largely Democratic city?
- And can Mamdani broaden his appeal beyond his progressive base?
The departure of Eric Adams marks a dramatic turning point in a race that already defied many expectations. With less than two months before voters head to the polls, the scramble to build coalitions and sway undecided voters just intensified.
Featured image credit: DepositPhotos.com
