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

The mayor of New York, Eric Adams, abandons his candidacy for re -election, organizing a race for three between Queens Asselyman and Democrat FRASTRUNNER ZOHRAN MAMDANIFormer governor Andrew Cuomo, who presents himself as a republican founder and candidate of the Guardian Angels, Curtis Sliwa, to lead the largest American city.

Adams, who took office in January 2022, announced that he was abandoning the mayor’s race in a video published on his social networks on Sunday afternoon.

“Despite all that we have accomplished, I cannot continue my re -election campaign. Consident media speculations on my future and the decision of the board of directors of the campaign to retain millions of dollars have undermined my ability to collect the funds necessary for a serious campaign.” The 110th mayor of the city said.

There have been intense questions about the future of the Adams campaign in recent months. Most polls showed it with support for a figureWell behind Mamdani, the Democratic candidate; Cuomo, an independent; And Sliwa, the Republican candidate.

The mayor had previously exploded speculations that he would abandon his re -election offer. In a press conference on September 5He said he was “the only one who could beat [Zohran] Mamdani, ” insisted that he was staying in the raceAnd referred to the favorite Democrat and former governor as “two spoiled frogs”.

He was A tumultuous year overall for Adams. He faced a Federal corruption scandal and criticism His relationship with the Trump administration.

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

Mamdani reacts to the Adams suspension campaign

Adams name Always appear on the general election bulletin In November, even if he suspended his campaign. He presented himself as independent after sitting in the Democratic primary.

Mamdani, who defeated Cuomo In primary, spoke to CBS News New York on Sunday evening and initially repeated part of his previous declaration on the departure of Adams of the race.

“Donald Trump and his billionaire donors can determine the actions of Eric Adams and Andrew Cuomo, but they will not dictate the results of this race,” said Mamdani, “and what we have seen today is a reflection of the fact that New Yorkers know that Andrew Cuomo’s agend is what we are going to do on Eric Adams.

Rozner asked Mamdani why he had appealed to President Trump and corruption in his previous declaration.

“Well, I think we have just seen many times that Donald Trump was talking openly about the fact that he wants to change the contours of this race to stop our campaign,” said Mamdani. “And he wants to do it because he is afraid of the fact that, unlike him, we will not simply diagnose the problem of a cost of living crisis; we will deliver there, and we will actually return a city that New Yorkers can afford, in contrast that have been affected since it has done since it makes it even more difficult to allow this city.”

Asked about the idea that the campaign was now a race of two men between him and Cuomo despite the fact that there are other names on the ballot, Mamdani said: “Listen, I can tell you that Andrew Cuomo wanted me to be his opponent in the primary and we beat him by 13 points. Cuomo.”

Cuomo thanks Adams for his leadership

Cuomo said that in a statement, Adams’ decision “was not easy,” adding “, but I think it is sincere to put the well-being of the city of New York before personal ambition. We are faced with destructive extremist forces that would devastate our city by incompetence or ignorance, but it is not too late to stop them.”

The former governor also credited Adams for fighting the right fight as long as he did in the city, from his childhood in his public service.

“Mayor Adams has a lot to be proud of his achievements. It was only in New York a child raised in a building in Bushwick, who once worked like a raclette boy and a mail room employee, gets up to become mayor. Whatever we could have,” said Cuomo d’Eric Adams, “Cuomo said.

A Sliwa campaign spokesperson said that the Republican “is the only candidate to defeat Mamdani. Our team, our resources and our funding are unrivaled. More importantly, we have the best solutions to help workers afford to stay in New York and feel safe.”

New York leaders praise some of Adams’ achievements

New York Governor Kathy Hochul has published a statement To say that she was proud to work with Adams since he took office.

“Meanwhile, we have delivered essential housing for New Yorkers, including the passage of the visionary plan of Yes Visionary City of Yes. We have connected more in New York to mental health services and support housing. We have returned the crime in our metro and he obtained illegal firearms in the streets.

The leader of the minority of the Hakeem Jeffries room, which represents the 8th district of the Brooklyn Congress, published a statement that said in part: “Eric Adams served courageously and authentically for decades as a member of the NYPD, the New York State Senate, in Brooklyn Borough Hall and as a 110th mayor. COVID-19.

“As is the case in any big city, there are still challenges, in particular with regard to the reduction in the cost of high living living. However, it is clear that significant progress has been made in several important areas for the duration of the mayor Adams. Thank you for your service to our city,” added Jeffries.

Reverend Al Sharpton said in a statement that Adams told him about his decision before publishing the video on Sunday.

“I told him that I respected his decision,” said Sharpton. “We have been friends for almost 35 years, and he has helped us to establish the National Action Network in 1991. He has been a friend of Nan by spending year for, in particular, in particular in the past four years, he has managed the Town Hall. Nan remains focused on the continuation of our meeting work in New York, sheltered, and prosperous for black and brown communities.”

New closed job of the White House for the mayor of New York Adams

Before the mayor’s abandonment, sources told CBS News New York that the White House was Looking at possible government positions To persuade him to leave the race.

Sources have told CBS News the New York political journalist Marcia Kramer that during a trip to Florida, Adams met Steve Witkoff, a real -york real estate investor and an adviser to the president.

“Although I will always listen to if I am called upon to serve our country, no official offer has been made. I always present myself for re -election, and I focus on the safety and quality of life of each New Yorker,” said Adams in early September, while speculation on his potential departure.

The mayor described rumors reports.

“To say, would you take a job in the administration or I would take it elsewhere, it is hypothetical,” said Adams on September 3. “I run to the office and I will finish doing this. I have work to do.”

President Trump said he wanted to see a head race against Mamdani, adding Two of the candidates should leave the race To achieve this, in the hope of union of independent and republican voters against the democratic socialist.

Adams and Sliwa previously rejected the suggestion And swore to stay in the running. Cuomo had said He would abandon if he did not conduct the polls Among Mamdani’s potential challengers before election day. Independent candidate Jim Walden has already left the racealthough A court decided that his name would remain on the final ballot Despite his abandonment.

Mamdani responded to what he called “Trump’s interference” in the race, calling him “an affront to our democracy”. He later put the president the president to face him in a debate, saying: “Cut the intermediary.”

The Trump administration crushed the case of adams corruption

It was not the first time that Mr. Trump has exerted presidential pressure on New York policy. After taking office earlier this year, the United States Ministry of Justice managed federal prosecutors in New York to reject their case of federal corruption against Adams.

The directive managed the acting lawyer for the South District in New York Danielle Sassoon to resignwith Other members of his office.

The charges were finally lowered with prejudiceswhich means that they cannot be deposited again in the future.

Adams’ political opponents have repeatedly called him to resignclaiming that he would be under the influence of the president. The mayor remained provocative, Insist on the fact that there was no quid-quo And Launch of his re -election campaign.

Adams administration hampered by allegations of corruption

Adams was accused of Solicit illegal campaign donations of wealthy donors and business And use them to operate the matching electoral funds in the 2021 race.

As part of the investigation, he was accused of accepting sumptuous bribes, such as flight improvements and luxury hotel rooms, in exchange for his political influence once in power. He Pleaded not guilty and denied any reprehensible act.

The FBI In the case of several members of the interior circle of Adams last fall, leading to A burst of resignation. More of his administration resigned in Februaryand his longtime advisor Ingrid Lewis-Martin was charged with new corruption charges as recently as in August.

Its old campaign fundraising, Winnie Grecohas also been recently accused of Give a journalist an envelope of money Inside a bag of croustilles. The mayor refused participation in one or the other of the incidents.

It is a story in development. Please stay with CBS News New York for updates.

Mark Prussin contributed to this report.