Eric Adams ends re-election bid amid scandals: What his exit means for New York City

New York City is entering the final stretch of the 2025 mayoral race without its incumbent. On September 28, 2025, Eric Adams suspended his re-election campaign, citing months of scandal, diminished fundraising, and eroding voter trust. The announcement, delivered in a social-media video, arrived a little over a month before Election Day and immediately reshaped the contest, leaving Democratic nominee Zohran Mamdani and independent candidate Andrew Cuomo as the central rivals, with Republican Curtis Sliwa still in the field. Reporting from major outlets confirms that Eric Adams—who shifted from the Democratic primary to an independent run after a 2024 federal indictment—will remain on the ballot but is no longer campaigning. AP News+2The Guardian+2

Background on Adams’ tenure — Eric Adams

Eric Adams, a former NYPD captain and Brooklyn borough president, entered City Hall in January 2022 with a mandate to stabilize a post-pandemic city. He promised to reduce crime, revive small businesses, and accelerate recovery in transit, tourism, and housing. Crime indicators later moderated from their 2022 peaks, but his administration struggled to convert those shifts into sustained public support as other crises—most notably the migrant shelter emergency and affordability pressures—dominated headlines. The broader narrative that ultimately overtook Eric Adams centered on a federal bribery and campaign-finance indictment unsealed in 2024, which alleged improper gifts and foreign-linked donations. ABC News

The indictment and its political aftershocks — Eric Adams

The Justice Department’s charges against Eric Adams in late 2024 created immediate turbulence for his 2025 bid. Although the case’s status evolved and political actors debated whether it should proceed, the accusations damaged donor confidence and complicated his relationship with the city’s Campaign Finance Board, which withheld matching funds amid questions about contributions. The mayor responded by distancing himself from the Democratic primary and pursuing an independent path, but the cloud of scandal persisted and several senior aides departed over the past year. Coverage of the 2025 race repeatedly noted that Eric Adams was polling poorly, trailing Mamdani and Cuomo, and that his fundraising lagged as scrutiny intensified. Department of Justice+2The Guardian+2

Why he dropped out now — Eric Adams

The timing reflects both electoral math and governance reality. By late September, public polling showed double-digit leads for Zohran Mamdani and a viable independent comeback attempt by Andrew Cuomo. In parallel, investigations and critical coverage consumed oxygen that the campaign needed for policy messaging. In his exit message, Eric Adams pointed to relentless media scrutiny, the toll of legal battles, and diminishing resources. News reports underscore that he offered no endorsement and vowed to serve out his term through January 1, 2026. AP News+1

The reshaped field and immediate implications — Eric Adams

With Eric Adams out, the three-way dynamics adjust quickly. Mamdani remains the Democratic nominee after a primary upset over Cuomo and continues to lead in most public surveys. Cuomo, who resigned as governor in 2021, is running as an independent and pitching a centrist restoration message to moderates, business groups, and voters uneasy with a democratic-socialist platform. Sliwa retains the Republican line and a consistent base but faces the same structural challenge Republicans confront in citywide races. Several outlets suggest the most significant question is how Adams’ voters redistribute and whether any remaining ballot presence confuses low-information voters or depresses turnout. Wikipedia+1

Where Eric Adams’ coalition may go

Eric Adams built a 2021 coalition across Black neighborhoods in Brooklyn and Queens, parts of the Bronx, organized labor, and public-safety-first voters, including some outer-borough homeowners. With that coalition fractured by scandal, competing candidates are already courting leaders in faith communities, unions, and ethnic civic groups that once backed him. Early reaction pieces described rapid outreach by Mamdani and Cuomo to neighborhood power brokers, with appeals tailored to quality-of-life, affordability, and public safety. Local reporting also notes specific blocs—such as Orthodox and traditional Jewish voters—that had relationships with the mayor and are now considered competitive terrain. CBS News+1

How we got here: performance vs. perception — Eric Adams

Even as some citywide indicators improved from pandemic lows, the perception gap widened. Shelter capacity remained stretched, transit reliability was uneven, and commercial districts recovered at different speeds. Eric Adams emphasized visible policing and nightlife revival, while critics charged that deeper affordability and housing reforms lagged. The indictment then reframed every policy debate through an ethics lens, making it difficult for Eric Adams to reintroduce himself to voters as a competent steward of the recovery. The result was a summer of headwinds: withheld public matching funds, sluggish donations, and accumulating negative earned media. The Guardian+1

Policy contrasts that now define the race

Without Eric Adams as the incumbent standard-bearer, the race’s issues clarify. Mamdani promises aggressive housing construction, fare relief pilots, and social-service expansions funded by progressive revenue ideas. Cuomo stresses managerial competence, pragmatic budgeting, and a restoration of business confidence alongside targeted public-safety investments. Sliwa continues to foreground crime, migrant policy, and quality-of-life enforcement. Voters now evaluate these visions without the gravitational pull of an incumbent, and debates over ethics shift from the mayor’s case to the broader question of trust in city government. Reuters

What Eric Adams’ exit means for governance through 2025

The city still needs a functioning executive for the next three months. By stepping off the campaign trail, Eric Adams can concentrate on immediate tasks: budget modifications before the fiscal midpoint, contract issues related to shelter and services, and coordination with the state on transit and public safety. Stakeholders will watch for a caretaker posture versus a push to cement late-term initiatives. Agencies also must manage transition planning: should Mamdani, Cuomo, or Sliwa prevail, the next administration will expect briefings, hiring pipelines, and a clear ledger of outstanding crises. By stating he will serve out his term, Eric Adams signaled continuity, though his political capital is diminished. Reuters

The accountability conversation after Eric Adams

The end of the campaign does not end accountability. Good-government groups and editorial boards will continue to press for transparency about procurement, fundraising, staff departures, and any remaining investigative threads tied to the 2024 charges. The next mayor inherits both the policy portfolio and the trust deficit. Voters who felt burned by ethics headlines will demand clean delineations between campaigning and governing, rigorous firewalling of outside influences, and clearer disclosure practices. In that sense, Eric Adams’ tenure becomes a case study for reform-minded agenda-setters in 2026 and beyond. ABC News

Voters’ calculus heading into November

Turnout patterns in New York City hinge on perceived stakes. Eric Adams’ departure may simplify the choice for some voters, but others could disengage if they supported the incumbent’s blend of moderate policing and pro-business messaging. Both remaining top contenders are working to reassure homeowners, renters, and small-business owners that they understand day-to-day frustrations—from subway delays to storefront vacancies and rising insurance costs. The campaign’s final month will test whether progressive or centrist arguments feel more credible against the city’s stubborn affordability crisis, and whether Sliwa can consolidate disaffected moderates in outer-borough districts that once leaned toward Eric Adams. Wikipedia

What to watch in the coming weeks

First, monitor endorsements: labor locals, clergy, and civic associations that once backed Eric Adams will signal where their influence moves. Second, follow fundraising and ad buys; a decisive swing in resources can define late-breaking narratives. Third, watch for administrative actions at City Hall that aim to lock in or sunset programs before the transition. Finally, expect sharpened contrasts on housing production targets and migrant services, which remain the city’s most complex budgeting challenges.

Bottom line

The suspension of the re-election bid by Eric Adams is a watershed moment in New York City politics. It caps a turbulent year defined by ethics questions and eroding public confidence and opens a clearer, if still contentious, choice among his rivals. The next mayor will inherit unresolved crises in housing, migration, and affordability—and the added responsibility of restoring trust. For all the drama, the message from voters has been consistent: they want competence, transparency, and visible progress. Eric Adams’ exit raises the bar for whoever takes the oath on January 1.

Connect with the Author

Curious about the inspiration behind The Unmaking of America or want to follow the latest news and insights from J.T. Mercer? Dive deeper and stay connected through the links below—then explore Vera2 for sharp, timely reporting.

About the Author

Discover more about J.T. Mercer’s background, writing journey, and the real-world events that inspired The Unmaking of America. Learn what drives the storytelling and how this trilogy came to life.
[Learn more about J.T. Mercer]

NRP Dispatch Blog

Stay informed with the NRP Dispatch blog, where you’ll find author updates, behind-the-scenes commentary, and thought-provoking articles on current events, democracy, and the writing process.
[Read the NRP Dispatch]

Vera2 — News & Analysis

Looking for the latest reporting, explainers, and investigative pieces? Visit Vera2, North River Publications’ news and analysis hub. Vera2 covers politics, civil society, global affairs, courts, technology, and more—curated with context and built for readers who want clarity over noise.
[Explore Vera2]

Whether you’re interested in the creative process, want to engage with fellow readers, or simply want the latest updates, these resources are the best way to stay in touch with the world of The Unmaking of America—and with the broader news ecosystem at Vera2.

Free Chapter

Begin reading The Unmaking of America today and experience a story that asks: What remains when the rules are gone, and who will stand up when it matters most? Join the Fall of America mailing list below to receive the first chapter of The Unmaking of America for free and stay connected for updates, bonus material, and author news.

Read the first chapter free

Post Views: 2

Vera2, White House & Politics

Eric Adams Ends Re-election Bid for New York City Mayor Update