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New York City Mayor Eric Adams announced on Sunday that he is ending his bid for re-election. In a video shared on social media, Adams cited "constant media speculation" and the city's campaign finance board's decision to withhold public funding as reasons for his withdrawal. Despite these challenges, Adams expressed pride in his administration's accomplishments, notably the reduction in violent crime across the city.
Adams, a one-term Democrat, faced significant hurdles during his campaign. His decision comes after a year of speculation about his political future, fueled by a now-dismissed federal bribery case and criticism over his relationship with President Donald Trump. Adams opted to run as an independent after skipping the Democratic primary.
In his video statement, Adams did not endorse any of the remaining candidates but warned against "extremism" in politics. His exit from the race could potentially benefit former Governor Andrew Cuomo, a centrist candidate, who is seen as a strong contender against the Democratic nominee, state Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani. Mamdani, at 33, could become the city's youngest and most liberal mayor if elected.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul, who has endorsed Mamdani, praised Adams for his service, stating that he leaves the city "better than he inherited it." The race also includes Republican Curtis Sliwa.