NYC Mayor Eric Adams Ditches Democratic Primary In Re-Election Bid

New York City Mayor Eric Adams announced he will drop out of the Democratic primary in the city’s mayoral election and run as an independent.

“I have always put New York’s people before politics and party—and I always will. I am running for mayor in the general election because our city needs independent leadership that understands working people,” Adams wrote.

“Though I am still a Democrat, I am announcing that I will forego the Democratic primary for mayor and appeal directly to all New Yorkers as an independent candidate in the general election,” Adams said in a video announcement.

WATCH:

pic.twitter.com/tq4EZY5hxy

— Eric Adams (@ericadamsfornyc) April 3, 2025

The announcement follows a judge permanently dismissing the federal corruption case against Adams, clearing the way for his re-election campaign.

Judge Decides If Federal Corruption Case Against NYC Mayor Eric Adams Can Move Forward

From the New York Post:

The embattled mayor insisted the Big Apple would be better off without clashing rhetoric from progressive and conservative sides — arguing that he has always put New Yorkers “before politics and party.”

“I firmly believe that this city is better served by truly independent leadership, not leaders pulled at by the extremists on the far left or the far right, but instead those rooted in the common middle, the place where the vast majority of New Yorkers are firmly planted,” Adams said.

Those close to Adams told The Post the mayor had been mulling an independent bid to retain his seat in City Hall for weeks as his historic criminal case dragged out.

The mayor, for his part, addressed the charges in his campaign update, acknowledging that the high-profile case may have shifted voters’ views.

“I know that the accusations leveled against me may have shaken your confidence in me and that you may rightly have questions about my conduct,” he said.

NYC Mayor Eric Adams dropping out of Democratic primary, will seek re-election as independent https://t.co/lev6dSRPv8 pic.twitter.com/p3rD10DXjF

— New York Post (@nypost) April 3, 2025

Breaking News: Mayor Eric Adams of New York City said he would not seek re-election as a Democrat, instead running as an independent in November’s election. https://t.co/MS3PxlCkny

— The New York Times (@nytimes) April 3, 2025

Fox News reports:

Adams faces an uphill battle in his re-election campaign. Former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced on March 1 that he'd be running for New York City mayor.

U.S. District Judge Dale E. Ho on Wednesday dismissed federal charges against Adams, which alleged he used his position to receive luxury travel and illegal campaign contributions from Turkish foreign nationals.

A Quinnipac University survey that was conducted just before and just after Cuomo announced his run for mayor found the former governor enjoying 31% support among New York City Democrats, while Adams garnered 11%.

The same survey found Adams had a 20% approval rating.

During the interview, the incumbent New York City Mayor slammed Cuomo for signing bail reform measures into law which he says led to a rise in crime during the coronavirus era.

"Look at bail reform — that’s Andrew," Adams said. "He can’t say, ‘I’m going to save the city from the far left’ when he surrendered to the far left."

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