Eric Adams dumps the Democrats as he heads into titanic struggle for heart of New York

Adams will head straight to the November general election.

PUBLISHED 1 DAY AGO

The decision follows weeks of speculation about Eric Adams’ political future, as several strong challengers entered the Democratic race.

New York City: New York City Mayor Eric Adams announced Thursday that he will withdraw from the city’s Democratic primary and instead seek reelection as an independent, citing the prolonged federal bribery case against him as a barrier to campaigning.

In a video statement, Adams explained that the legal battle, which was dismissed this week, had dragged on too long, leaving him unable to effectively compete in the June primary. “The false accusations were held over me,” he said, arguing that the city needs “truly independent leadership” free from far-left or far-right influences.

Eric Adams explained that the legal battle, which was dismissed this week, had dragged on too long.

The decision follows weeks of speculation about Adams’ political future, as several strong challengers — including former New York Gov Andrew Cuomo — entered the Democratic race. By skipping the primary, Adams will head straight to the November general election. However, the move risks alienating him from the city’s Democratic base and party infrastructure.

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Adams’ campaign has struggled financially in recent months, with his access to public matching funds blocked due to discrepancies in his financial records. The now-dismissed corruption case, which accused him of accepting illegal donations and favors from a Turkish official in exchange for political favors, further damaged his standing. Though a federal judge dismissed the charges Wednesday, the scandal raised questions about Adams’ political independence, particularly after the Justice Department under President Donald Trump moved to drop the case.

In his announcement, Adams maintained his innocence but admitted the case had eroded public trust. “I trusted people I should not have, and I regret that,” he said.