Adams said that “constant media speculation” about his future, combined with the city campaign finance board’s decision to deny him public matching funds, had throttled his campaign. His withdrawal narrows the race to Democrat Zohran Mamdani, former governor Andrew Cuomo, and Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa.

Adams, elected in 2022 as a Democrat, was running as an independent after being indicted on alleged bribery and fraud charges. The indictment was later dismissed at the direction of the Trump administration. “I cannot continue my re-election campaign,” Adams said in a video posted on social media Sunday. “The constant media speculation about my future and the campaign finance board’s decision to withhold millions of dollars have undermined my ability to raise the funds needed for a serious campaign.”

Adams has not endorsed any of his rivals. However, in his withdrawal statement he appeared to take aim at Mamdani, the Democratic nominee and current front-runner. “Major change is welcome and necessary, but beware of those who claim the answer is to destroy the very system we built together over generations,” he said, without naming Mamdani, a self-described socialist. “That is not change, that is chaos.” He also warned of “insidious forces” pushing “divisive agendas” in city politics.

Once seen as a rising star in New York politics, the former police officer’s popularity declined amid corruption allegations, clashes with Democrats over immigration policy, and public frustration with the city’s rising cost of living. In an indictment last September, Adams was accused of accepting more than $100,000 (£75,000) in gifts from Turkish citizens in exchange for political favours. He denied wrongdoing and pleaded not guilty. In April, the Justice Department directed federal prosecutors to drop the charges. Still, the controversy continued to shadow Adams as he fell behind in the race.

His ties with the Democratic Party further eroded during the Biden administration, as he repeatedly criticised its handling of immigration. Earlier this year, Adams declared he would run as an independent—a move that spared him from a competitive Democratic primary, which Mamdani went on to win.

Adams will serve out the remainder of his term, which ends on January 1. His name will remain on the ballot because the deadline to withdraw has already passed. (BBC)