'I cannot continue': Eric Adams drops out of NYC mayoral race with video explaining abrupt decision

WASHINGTON, DC: In a political twist just five weeks before Election Day, New York City Mayor Eric Adams has abruptly ended his reelection campaign. The surprise move reshapes the race, now leaving Democrat Zohran Mamdani, former Governor Andrew Cuomo, and Republican Curtis Sliwa to battle for City Hall.

Adams, who won office in 2022 as a Democrat but was running as an independent, faced a turbulent campaign clouded by a now-dismissed bribery and fraud indictment. 

Eric Adams says announcement is not the end of his public service

In a nearly nine-minute video posted to social media on Sunday, September 28, New York City Mayor Eric Adams declared, "I cannot continue my reelection campaign." 

He added, "The constant media speculation about my future and the campaign finance board's decision to withhold millions of dollars have undermined my ability to raise the funds needed for a serious campaign."

While offering no hints about his next steps, Adams emphasized that this is "not the end of [his] public service."

His surprise exit comes amid growing speculation that he might bow out to clear a path for Cuomo. Recent polling placed Adams fourth in the race, trailing Mamdani, Cuomo, and Sliwa.

"This campaign was for the underserved, the marginalized, the abandoned and betrayed by government," Adams shared in his video message. "Since then, it has been my honor to be your mayor, and I’m proud to say that we took that victory four years ago and turned it into action, making this city better for those who have been failed by government."

He also pointed to accomplishments such as reducing crime, boosting employment, and expanding funding for rental vouchers and child care. The 65-year-old urged the city to "continue the work we started."

Though he declined to endorse a successor, Adams took veiled shots at his opponents. "Beware of those who claim the answer [is] to destroy the very system we built together over generations, that is not change, that is chaos," he warned.

He closed with a message to voters: "Choose leaders not by what they promise, but by what they deliver."

Internet reacts to Eric Adams' decision to end his mayoral race

Within hours of announcing his exit from the mayoral race, Eric Adams' video garnered more than 2.4 million views and 1,600 comments, sparking widespread reactions online

One wrote, "Thank you so much Mr Mayor for everything you did for New York City and to make the communities feel loved by the city including the Jews!"

A commenter expressed, "Thank you, Mayor Adams. We will never forget your speech when we needed it most either."

A disappointed individual wrote, "If your story is so great, why are you ending the book now? 1 term??? 🤦‍♂️."

"Although, not a New Yorker, I have followed your career as mayor over the years. Under your leadership, you put the city and people first. Please remind political leaders that constituents from ALL political parties are who they serve. Best to you on your future endeavors," another tweet read. 

One lamented, "Nooooooo!!!! 😭🤦‍♀️"

A person questioned, "Arr you going to endorse Curtis Sliwa? He's the best hope for NYC not totally flat lining."

"You did the right thing. Now we need to defeat Mamdani before he unleashes a violent crime wave on New York. Endorse Cuomo!" one more suggested. 

Zohran Mamdani takes shot at Andrew Cuomo after Eric Adams’ withdrawal

A senior adviser to Andrew Cuomo’s campaign told CNN they believe Eric Adams’ withdrawal could free up portions of the Black vote, potentially enough to shift the dynamics of the race.

Despite President Donald Trump’s apparent attempts to intervene, Mamdani currently leads the field by 20 points. According to reports, Trump’s advisors have floated the idea of offering administration roles to both Adams and Sliwa to consolidate conservative support behind Cuomo.

If elected, the 33-year-old Democrat would become New York City’s youngest and most progressive mayor. He defeated Cuomo in the Democratic primary by running on a platform focused on lowering living costs across the city.

Following Adams' exit, Mamdani released a sharp statement criticizing Cuomo. "New York deserves better than trading one disgraced, corrupt politician for another," he said.

He added, "On November 4th, we are going to turn the page on the politics of big money and small ideas and deliver a government every New Yorker can be proud of."

Sliwa remains in the race, though members of his own party have publicly dismissed his chances. Even Trump recently remarked that Sliwa is "not exactly prime time."

Although both Adams and independent candidate Jim Walden have ended their campaigns, their names will still appear on the November 4 ballot.

Adams acknowledged that the federal corruption case — though dismissed — damaged public trust.

"I also know some may seem unsure of me after the events surrounding my federal case," he said. "I was wrongfully charged because I fought for this city. And if I had to do it again, I would fight for New York again."

This article contains remarks made on the internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.