A Historic One-Term Mayor
New York City Mayor Eric Adams announced Sunday he is ending his campaign for reelection, virtually ensuring he will become the city’s first one-term mayor since David Dinkins. In a nine-minute video, Adams reflected on his tenure and the challenges that ultimately derailed his political future.
“It has been my honor to be your mayor,” Adams said. “We turned victory into action, making this city better for those who have been failed by government.”
Legal Troubles and Financial Setbacks
Adams’ campaign faltered under the weight of a dismissed federal bribery case, weak polling, and the Campaign Finance Board’s decision to withhold millions in public matching funds. His approval ratings had been at record lows since late 2023, when FBI raids and a federal indictment linked him to alleged ties with Turkish entities. Although the Justice Department under President Trump moved to dismiss the charges in April 2024, the intervention raised suspicions of political bargaining, damaging Adams’ credibility further.
The loss of campaign funds left Adams unable to sustain a viable race. Despite insisting just weeks ago that he would stay in, his position weakened as business leaders and Trump allies reportedly floated exit strategies for him.
Political Fallout and Reactions
Adams’ exit shifts the dynamics of the November election but may not significantly change outcomes. His name will remain on the ballot, but with polling under 10%, his supporters are unlikely to sway the race. Moderate Democrats and Trump had hoped his departure would bolster Andrew Cuomo’s independent bid against Democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani, who won the Democratic primary.
Mamdani dismissed Adams’ departure as inconsequential, tying both Adams and Cuomo to “billionaire-backed politics.” Cuomo, meanwhile, now faces fewer moderate rivals but still must contend with Adams’ residual support base.
A Legacy in Question
Adams entered office with promises of pragmatic leadership but struggled with crises over cost of living, budget cuts, and public safety. His indictment and subsequent reliance on Trump’s Justice Department to clear his name alienated many New Yorkers. He blamed the media for amplifying his struggles, saying he felt like he was “running against the press.”
Though his campaign is over, Adams signaled he is not leaving public life. “Although this is the end of my reelection campaign, it’s not the end of my public service,” he said. His campaign chair, Frank Carone, framed the decision as “a pivot, not an end.”
