Eric Adams drops out of New York City mayor’s race, ending his bid for reelection

New York City Mayor Eric Adams is dropping his bid for reelection, setting up a three-way race between Queens Assemblyman and Democrat frontrunner Zohran Mamdani, former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who is running as an independent, and Guardian Angels founder and Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa to lead America’s largest city.

Adams, who took office in January 2022, announced he was dropping out of the mayor’s race in a video posted to his social media Sunday afternoon.

“Despite all we’ve achieved, I cannot continue my reelection campaign. The constant media speculation about my future and the Campaign Finance Board’s decision to withhold millions of dollars have undermined my ability to raise the funds needed for a serious campaign,” the city’s 110th mayor said. 

There has been intense questioning about the future of Adams’ campaign over the past few months. Most polls showed him with single-digit support, well behind Mamdani, the Democratic nominee; Cuomo, an independent; and Sliwa, the Republican candidate.

The mayor previously blasted speculation that he would drop his reelection bid. In a Sept. 5 news conference, he said he was “the only one that can beat [Zohran] Mamdani,” insisted he was remaining in the race, and referred to the Democratic frontrunner and former governor as “two spoiled brats.”   

It has been a tumultuous year overall for Adams. He has faced a federal corruption scandal and criticism over his relationship with the Trump administration.

“I was wrongfully charged because I fought for this city, and if I had to do it again, I would fight for New York again,” he said in his video message. 

Candidates react to Adams suspending campaign

Adams’ name will still appear on the general election ballot in November, even though he suspended his campaign. He was running as an independent after sitting out the Democratic primary. 

Mamdani, who defeated Cuomo in the primary, said in a statement on Adams’ departure from the race, “Donald Trump and his billionaire donors might be able to determine Eric Adams and Andrew Cuomo’s actions but they will not dictate the results of this election. New York deserves better than trading in one disgraced, corrupt politician for another. On November 4th, we are going to turn the page on the politics of big money and small ideas and deliver a government every New Yorker can be proud of.”

Cuomo said in a statement Adams’ decision “was not an easy one,” adding, “but I believe he is sincere in putting the well-being of New York City ahead of personal ambition. We face destructive extremist forces that would devastate our city through incompetence or ignorance, but it is not too late to stop them.”

The former governor also credited Adams for fighting the good fight for as long as he has in the city, from his childhood up through his public service.

“Mayor Adams has much to be proud of in his accomplishments. Only in New York can a child raised in a tenement in Bushwick, who once worked as a squeegee boy and a mailroom clerk, rise to become mayor. Whatever differences we may have, Eric Adams’ story is undeniably one of resilience, a testament to the spirit of this city,” Cuomo said.

A spokesperson for Sliwa’s campaign said the Republican “is the only candidate who can defeat Mamdani. Our team, our resources, and our funding are unmatched. Most importantly, we have the best solutions to help working people afford to stay in New York City and feel safe.” 

New York leaders tout some of Adams’ accomplishments

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul released a statement saying she was proud to work with Adams since he took office. 

“During that time we have delivered much needed housing for New Yorkers, including the passage of the mayor’s visionary City of Yes plan. We have connected more New Yorkers to mental health services and supportive housing. We’ve driven down crime in our subways and gotten illegal guns off the streets. I have been grateful for his partnership. He leaves New York City better than he inherited it and that will always be central to his legacy as mayor.”

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, who represents the 8th Congressional District in Brooklyn, released a statement that said, in part, “Eric Adams has served courageously and authentically for decades as a member of the NYPD, the New York State Senate, in Brooklyn Borough Hall and as our 110th mayor. During his time in office, violent crime is down, the building of affordable housing units is up and New York City has recovered from the COVID-19 pandemic.

“As is the case in any major city, there are challenges that remain, particularly as it relates to lowering the high cost of living. Yet, it is clear that meaningful progress has been made in several important areas during the term of Mayor Adams. Thank you for your service to our city,” Jeffries added.

The Rev. Al Sharpton said in a statement that Adams told him about his decision before releasing the video on Sunday. 

“I told him I respected his decision,” Sharpton said. “We have been friends for nearly 35 years, and he helped us establish National Action Network in 1991. He has been a friend of NAN year in and year out since, especially over the last almost four years he led City Hall. NAN remains focused on continuing our work of making New York City safe, livable, and prosperous for Black and Brown communities.”  

White House floated new job for NYC Mayor Adams

Prior to the mayor dropping out, sources told CBS News New York that the White House was looking into possible government positions to persuade him to exit the race.

Sources told CBS News New York’s political reporter Marcia Kramer that during a trip to Florida, Adams met with Steve Witkoff, a New York real estate investor and close advisor to the president.

“While I will always listen if called to serve our country, no formal offers have been made. I am still running for reelection, and my full focus is on the safety and quality of life of every New Yorker,” Adams said in early September, as speculation about his potential departure swirled. 

The mayor called the reports just rumors. 

“To say, would you take a job in the administration or would I take it somewhere else, that’s hypothetical,” Adams said on Sept. 3. “I’m running for office and I’m going to finish doing that. I got work to do.”

President Trump said he wanted to see a one-on-one race against Mamdani, adding two of the candidates should leave the race to make that happen, in hopes of uniting independent and Republican voters against the Democratic socialist. 

Both Adams and Sliwa previously dismissed the suggestion and vowed to stay in the running. Cuomo had said he would drop out if he wasn’t leading in the polls among the potential challengers to Mamdani heading into Election Day. Independent candidate Jim Walden already left the race, although a court decided his name will remain on the final ballot despite his dropping out. 

Mamdani responded to what he called Mr. Trump’s “meddling” in the race, calling it “an affront to our democracy.” He later challenged the president to face him in a debate, saying, “Let’s cut out the middleman.”

Trump administration squashed Adams’ corruption case

It was not the first time Mr. Trump put presidential pressure on New York City politics. Upon taking office earlier this year, the U.S. Department of Justice directed federal prosecutors in New York to dismiss their federal bribery case against Adams.

The directive led acting U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York Danielle Sassoon to resign, along with other members of her office. 

The charges were ultimately dropped with prejudice, meaning they cannot be filed again in the future. 

Adams’ political opponents repeatedly called on him to resign, claiming he would be under the president’s influence. The mayor remained defiant, insisting there was no quid-pro-quo and launching his reelection campaign. 

Adams administration dogged by corruption allegations

Adams was accused of soliciting illegal campaign donations from wealthy and corporate donors and using them to tap into matching election funds in the 2021 race. 

As part of the investigation, he was accused of accepting lavish bribes, like flight upgrades and luxury hotel rooms, in exchange for his political influence once he got into office. He pleaded not guilty and denied any wrongdoing.

The FBI raided several members of Adams’ inner circle last fall, leading to a flurry of resignations. More of his administration stepped down this February, and his longtime adviser Ingrid Lewis-Martin was indicted on new bribery charges as recently as this August. 

His former campaign fundraiser, Winnie Greco, was also recently accused of handing a journalist an envelope of cash inside a bag of potato chips. The mayor denied involvement with either incident. 

This is breaking news. Please stay with CBS News New York for updates. 

Mark Prussin

contributed to this report.