NEW YORK — Mayor Eric Adams announced Sunday that he is ending his reelection campaign, citing the weight of past legal troubles and mounting challenges to running a viable bid.
In a video statement posted on social media, Adams acknowledged that the lingering fallout from a federal corruption case has handicapped his campaign. He emphasized his continued commitment to public service, even as he steps away from electoral politics.
Adams launched his reelection effort earlier this year after leaving the Democratic primary to run as an independent. But he faced steep obstacles: weak polling numbers, internal controversies, and scrutiny of his record in office.
The New York Times continues:
Mr. Adams had publicly insisted that he would see his campaign through despite dismal poll numbers. But behind the scenes, he was exploring potential exit ramps to avoid an embarrassing finish, with his advisers at one point engaging in negotiations with President Trump’s about an ambassadorship to Saudi Arabia.
Those talks fell apart, and on Sunday, Mr. Adams called it quits in a nearly nine-minute video message posted to social media. He gave no indication that he had a specific job lined up after he leaves office.
Instead, in remarks prepared for delivery, the mayor conceded that despite his best efforts, he could not see a path to a second term. He blamed “repeated rumors of my departure” and a decision by the city’s Campaign Finance Board to deny him public matching funds for throttling his campaign.
Rather than endorsing one of his rivals, Mr. Adams urged voters to view both Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic nominee and front-runner, and former Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo, a third-party candidate, with suspicion.
Despite his inability to persuade supporters to back a relative moderate like himself, Adams’ exit is likely to shift the electorate — particularly among independents, who now appear ready to rally behind former Gov. Andrew Cuomo in a last-ditch bid to block Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic Socialist currently leading the field by 22 points.
This is a breaking news story. Please check back for updates.
READ NEXT: Revolting Indictment Rocks Money Man Linked To Global Elites
Sponsored
From Erika Kirk: The torch Charlie lit still burns — now it’s in our hands. [STAND WITH US TODAY]
