On Sunday, September 28th, Mayor Eric Adams announced he would step away from his re-election campaign, citing financial challenges and mounting political pressures. His withdrawal leaves the 2025 mayoral race wide open, with attention shifting to Zohran Mamdani, Andrew Cuomo, and Curtis Sliwa.
The decision comes after the Campaign Finance Board denied Adams matching funds, a setback he said made it impossible to continue. He explained that while the campaign was ending, his service to New York would continue. “Although this is the end of my re-election campaign, this will not be the end of my public service,” Adams stated.
In a video posted online, Adams looked back on his journey from South Jamaica, Queens, to City Hall. He pointed to his administration’s record on housing, public safety, education, and the economy. “We built more housing in one term than any administration before us,” he emphasized. “We drove crime down so far that this year we are on track to have fewer shooters and murders than at any point in our city’s history.”
He also emphasized that his campaign was focused on equity and representation for marginalized communities. Adams cautioned against rising extremism in politics, warning that political anger is increasingly fueling violence.
Adams’ name will remain on the November ballot, and he reaffirmed his dedication to the city. “This campaign was never about me. It was about the people of this city, from every neighborhood and background, who had been left behind and believed they would never catch up,” he said, emphasizing that his focus remains on serving New Yorkers beyond the election.
