New York City mayor Eric Adams has ended his reelection bid , paving the way for a three-way race between Queens Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani , former Governor Andrew Cuomo , and Guardian Angels founder Curtis Sliwa to lead the nation’s largest city.
Adams, who assumed office in January 2022, announced his withdrawal through a video posted on social media on Sunday, though his name will still remain on the November ballot.
"It has been my honor to be your mayor," he said.
Speculation about Adams’ political future had intensified in recent months, with most polls showing him in single digits, trailing Mamdani, Cuomo, and Sliwa. He was also facing a corruption scandal and criticism over his ties to the Trump administration, as cited by CBS News.
On September 5, reports emerged that the Trump administration was considering Adams for the role of US ambassador to Saudi Arabia . Adams responded that he had not received a formal offer and remained committed to serving as New York City’s mayor.
Earlier in 2025, the Justice Department, under Trump, intervened to drop federal corruption charges against Adams, which alleged he solicited and accepted illegal gifts and campaign contributions from wealthy foreign donors, including the Turkish government, as reported by USA Today.
The mayor previously dismissed speculation that he might abandon his reelection campaign. He also emphasised that he is the only one who can defeat Mandani.
“I am in this race. And I am the only one who can beat Mamdani," Adams said.
Trump commented on the broader mayoral race earlier, suggesting that Cuomo would stand a better chance against Zohran Mamdani in a head-to-head contest. However, he noted that with multiple candidates in the race, defeating Mamdani would be difficult.
Trump has previously expressed opposition to Mamdani, 33, becoming mayor of New York City, and said he would prefer that Cuomo and Republican Curtis Sliwa step aside to allow a direct matchup against Mamdani.
Adams, who assumed office in January 2022, announced his withdrawal through a video posted on social media on Sunday, though his name will still remain on the November ballot.
"It has been my honor to be your mayor," he said.
Only in America. Only in New York.
— Eric Adams (@ericadamsfornyc) September 28, 2025
Thank you for making my story a reality. pic.twitter.com/efHuyBnITJ
Speculation about Adams’ political future had intensified in recent months, with most polls showing him in single digits, trailing Mamdani, Cuomo, and Sliwa. He was also facing a corruption scandal and criticism over his ties to the Trump administration, as cited by CBS News.
On September 5, reports emerged that the Trump administration was considering Adams for the role of US ambassador to Saudi Arabia . Adams responded that he had not received a formal offer and remained committed to serving as New York City’s mayor.
Earlier in 2025, the Justice Department, under Trump, intervened to drop federal corruption charges against Adams, which alleged he solicited and accepted illegal gifts and campaign contributions from wealthy foreign donors, including the Turkish government, as reported by USA Today.
The mayor previously dismissed speculation that he might abandon his reelection campaign. He also emphasised that he is the only one who can defeat Mandani.
“I am in this race. And I am the only one who can beat Mamdani," Adams said.
Trump commented on the broader mayoral race earlier, suggesting that Cuomo would stand a better chance against Zohran Mamdani in a head-to-head contest. However, he noted that with multiple candidates in the race, defeating Mamdani would be difficult.
Trump has previously expressed opposition to Mamdani, 33, becoming mayor of New York City, and said he would prefer that Cuomo and Republican Curtis Sliwa step aside to allow a direct matchup against Mamdani.
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