The New York Post broke the news, obtaining a transcript of Adams’s prepared remarks in which he does not endorse any other candidate.
“It’s been an honor to be your mayor,” Adams said in a video announcement, according to a transcript obtained by The Post, touting his victories over his first term.
“Although our successes… I know I cannot continue my campaign,” he said.
“I strongly encourage who ever takes over City Hall to continue what we’ve done.”
[…]
“I want to be clear, although this is the end of my campaign, this will not be the end of my public service,” he said.
“I will keep fighting for our city no matter what because I am a New Yorker.”
Adams had next to no chance of winning. His languishing independent bid was marred by middling poll numbers, lackluster fundraising, and an often-present air of controversy.
It’s an anti-climatic end to what once seemed to be a promising political story that began in 2021 as the then-Brooklyn borough president Adams defeated his party rivals handily in the mayoral primary, later declaring himself the “the face of the Democratic Party.” When he was sworn in on New Year’s Day in 2022, Adams became only the second Black mayor in the city’s history.
But Adams’s sole term in office was marked by a seemingly endless stream of controversies including federal raids on some of his top aides and appointees and a revolving door of resignations that saw the mayor name four police commissioners in the span of two years. The turmoil in City Hall reached a fever pitch last year when federal prosecutors unveiled an indictment against Adams, accusing the mayor of intentionally soliciting illegal foreign campaign donations and luxury travel benefits in exchange for favors in a scheme that extended back to Adams’s tenure as Brooklyn borough president in 2014. Adams long denied the allegations against him and resisted calls to resign from his seat.
Adams’ exit from the race helps to thin the general election field in a likely boon to former Governor Andrew Cuomo who is eyeing a rematch with Democratic nominee Zohran Mamdani who defeated him in the primary in June. Also in the race is Republican Party nominee and Guardian Angels founder Curtis Sliwa who has said he intends to stay in the race, even if offered another role.
The New York Times reported in early September that associates of Adams had been in touch with top Trump advisers, discussing a possible role for the mayor in the administration in lieu of continuing his reelection bid. But Adams had long denied the speculation that he was under consideration for a federal government position, telling reporters, “I have a job. I’m running for my reelection, and I’m still doing that, and I’m looking forward to getting reelected.”