Mamdani Labels Eric Adams 'Extreme' After Adams Ends Reelection Bid
Mayor Eric Adams announced in a social-media video that he is ending his reelection campaign, saying constant media scrutiny and the Campaign Finance Board’s decision to withhold public matching funds left him unable to mount a serious campaign; he will remain on the ballot as an independent. Progressive Zohran Mamdani, who has gained ground in polls, called Adams “extreme” and “radical,” attacking his record on rents, transit and childcare as the contest narrows to Mamdani, Andrew Cuomo and Republican Curtis Sliwa amid reactions from national and local figures.
Elections
Politics
🔍 Key Facts
- New York City Mayor Eric Adams announced he is ending his reelection campaign in a nearly nine‑minute video posted to social media, citing "constant media speculation" and saying he was unable to raise funds for a "serious campaign."
- Adams said the Campaign Finance Board's decision to withhold public matching funds was decisive and that the CFB action materially impacted his campaign funding.
- Adams had bypassed the Democratic primary and was running as an independent; despite his withdrawal he will remain on the ballot.
- Reporting first flagged by the New York Post and confirmed via Adams' social post was widely picked up by other outlets as the story developed.
- Zohran Mamdani reacted to Adams' exit by calling the mayor "extreme" and "radical," criticizing Adams' record with claims that he raised rents for many New Yorkers, slowed city buses, and made childcare unaffordable.
- Mamdani reiterated his own affordability agenda — including proposals such as free buses, city‑owned grocery stores and rent freezes for rent‑stabilized tenants — described the plans as "common sense," and estimated a universal bus program would cost roughly $600–$700 million.
- At the time of Adams' withdrawal outlets reported he was trailing opponents in polls and fundraising; a Fox News poll cited in coverage showed Mamdani leading Andrew Cuomo by 16 points among likely voters.
- The race is now characterized publicly as a three‑person contest among Zohran Mamdani, Andrew Cuomo and Republican Curtis Sliwa, with reactions from other politicians (Cuomo calling Adams' decision "sincere," Hakeem Jeffries withholding endorsement pending early voting) and campaign teams repositioning themselves.
📍 Contextual Background
- Zohran Mamdani is the Democratic nominee for New York City mayor.
- Zohran Mamdani describes himself as a Democratic socialist.
- Zohran Mamdani was 33 years old (as described in the article).
- Zohran Mamdani is a self-described Democratic socialist and was a New York City mayoral candidate/nominee.
📊 Analysis & Commentary (1)
Eric Adams Bows Out, Not That It’ll Do New York Much Good
"A sharply critical column arguing that Eric Adams’s withdrawal from the mayoral race merely underscores his mediocrity and serves as a symbol of broader Democratic misrule in New York, commenting on the news that Adams ended his reelection bid (as reported in the Mamdani/Adams coverage)."
📰 Sources (6)
Lawmakers reveal how Adams' abrupt campaign exit impacts NYC mayoral race: 'One last chance'
New information:
- Fox News polling result cited in this piece showing Zohran Mamdani leads Andrew Cuomo by 16 points among likely voters.
- Direct quotes from GOP Rep. Jake Blumencranz framing Adams' withdrawal as 'one last chance' and from NYC Councilwoman Inna Vernikov urging Adams to 'ensure no vote is wasted.'
- Report that Adams said he was unable to raise funds for a 'serious campaign' and that he announced his exit in a nearly nine‑minute video; the article notes Adams' name will remain on the ballot and characterizes the race as now three‑person (Mamdani, Cuomo, Sliwa).
Mamdani fires back at Eric Adams, labels mayor as 'extreme' and 'radical' amid end to re-election bid
New information:
- Zohran Mamdani publicly called Eric Adams 'extreme' and 'radical' during an MSNBC interview after Adams announced he was leaving the mayoral race.
- Mamdani criticized Adams' record with specific policy claims: saying Adams 'raised the rent on more than 2 million New Yorkers by 12%', slowed city buses, and priced families out of childcare (~$25,000/year).
- Mamdani framed his affordability agenda as 'common sense,' reiterated willingness to engage moderate voters, and quantified a bus program cost at roughly $600–$700 million as part of his answers on funding feasibility.
'New York deserves better:' Mamdani reacts to Eric Adams exit from mayoral race
New information:
- Direct, attributable statement from Zohran Mamdani reacting to Adams' exit, including quoted language about 'turn[ing] the page on the politics of big money and small ideas' and 'New York deserves better.'
- Campaign framing from Republican Curtis Sliwa's team positioning Sliwa as the strongest challenger with a quoted spokesperson (Daniel Kurzyna) emphasizing funding and solutions on affordability and safety.
- Restated reactions from Andrew Cuomo and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries contextualized alongside Mamdani's statement (Cuomo calling Adams' decision 'sincere' and Jeffries withholding endorsement pending early voting).
Eric Adams ends his reelection campaign for New York City mayor
New information:
- Adams released a video on social media announcing he was ending his reelection campaign and cited 'constant media speculation' and the Campaign Finance Board's decision to withhold public funding as decisive factors.
- The article notes Adams highlighted accomplishments (including a drop in violent crime) in his farewell video and explicitly states his campaign funding was impacted by the CFB withholding public matching funds.
- Confirms Adams had been on the ballot as an independent after skipping the Democratic primary and ties his withdrawal to both political pressures and the CFB action.
Eric Adams drops out of NYC mayoral race as Mamdani gains ground
New information:
- Direct Treasury Department quote from Secretary Scott Bessent warning 'Drop dead' when asked about bailing out Mamdani's agenda.
- Reporting that Adams had significantly trailed both Zohran Mamdani and Andrew Cuomo in campaign fundraising and spending.
- Explicit listing of Mamdani policy proposals mentioned in the article (free buses, city‑owned grocery stores, rent freezes for rent‑stabilized tenants).
- Context noting President Trump previously said he wished two candidates would drop out to improve chances of beating Mamdani (connects local race to national commentary).
Eric Adams drops out of New York City mayoral race
New information:
- Eric Adams — the sitting mayor of New York City — publicly announced he is dropping out of the mayoral race.
- The development was first reported by the New York Post and confirmed via Adams' social‑media post, with Fox News Digital covering the announcement as a developing story.
- Fox News reports Adams was trailing both Democratic and Republican contenders at the time of his withdrawal, altering the field in a high‑profile city election.