Overview

• Adams announced his decision in a video posted to X on Sunday, saying he cannot continue and offering no endorsement to any rival.
• He cited constant media chatter about his future and the Campaign Finance Board’s refusal to release public matching funds as crippling his fundraising.
• The move narrows the field and is widely seen as improving Andrew Cuomo’s prospects against frontrunner Zohran Mamdani, though Republican Curtis Sliwa remains in the race.
• Adams’ name will still appear on the November 4 ballot because he withdrew after ballot-printing deadlines.
• The exit follows reports of Trump-aligned efforts to consolidate the field, including a meeting between aide Steve Witkoff and Adams about potential roles in the administration.