(The Center Square) – Residents of New York City will choose from just three candidates for mayor in November after incumbent Eric Adams officially dropped out.
In a message posted to social media on Sunday, the first-term Democrat who switched to independent after Queens Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani sailed to victory in the June primary, blamed media notoriety and in-party fighting for his decision.
“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,” Adams said during the nearly nine-minute video.
In his message, he pointed to expanded vouchers for rent and child care, eliminating income taxes for 500,000 residents, record-high employment and improved academic achievement in public schools as evidence of fulfilled promises.
“This campaign was for the underserved, the marginalized, the abandoned and betrayed by government,” he said. “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.”
Despite this, Mamdani, who runs a far-left progressive campaign akin to his Democratic socialist beliefs, continues to lead in polls by double digits, besting second-place former Gov. Andrew Cuomo. He switched to independent after losing the summer primary.
Adams’s dropout was speculated for weeks as Democrats raised concern that a split field for independent candidates would boost Mamdani’s chances of winning.
Earlier this month, Gov. Kathy Hochul threw her support behind Mamdani, saying she believes he’s the best candidate to run the nation’s largest city despite her disagreements over his controversial proposals.
“In our conversations, I heard a leader who shares my commitment to a New York where children can grow up safe in their neighborhoods and where opportunity is within reach for every family,” Hochul, a Democrat, wrote in her endorsement. “I heard a leader who is focused on making New York City affordable – a goal I enthusiastically support.”
But the endorsement drew criticism from other candidates in the crowded race. Republican Curtis Sliwa’s campaign criticized the governor’s endorsement as “nonsense” and said the GOP nominee and Guardian Angel’s founder is the best choice for New York City mayor.
“The worst governor in America just endorsed the worst candidate for mayor. They deserve each other,” Sliwa campaign spokesperson Daniel Kurzyna said in a statement. “New Yorkers see through the backroom politics and know Curtis Sliwa is fighting for them, not the insiders.”
New York Republican Chairman Ed Cox blasted Hochul for endorsing an “avowed communist and anti-Semite for Mayor of the City of New York,” calling it a “stunning act of political cowardice.”
Chris Wade contributed to this report.
