Mayor Eric Adams announced that he has dropped out of the mayoral race in a video posted to X Sunday afternoon.
Adams said there were multiple circumstances causing him to drop out of the race, including his inability to raise funds due to the federal case against him.
“I was wrongfully charged because I fought for the city, and if I had to do it again, I would fight for New York again,” Adams explained.
“Despite all we’ve achieved, I cannot continue our reelection campaign. The constant media speculation about my future and the campaign finance sports decision to withhold millions of dollars that undermine my ability to raise the funds needed for serious campaign,” Adams said in the video.
In April, a federal judge has dismissed the corruption case against Adams.
The original case, brought during the Biden administration, accused Adams of accepting illicit campaign contributions and travel perks from Turkish officials and associates in exchange for political favors. Among the allegations: that Adams helped Turkey open a diplomatic building in New York City despite it failing fire inspections.
Adams touted a decrease in multiple crime areas and an increase in diverse leadership across city departments during his time as mayor.
He also warned that extremism is growing, and “political anger is turning into political violence.”
This is a breaking news story. Updates to come.