In a video released on social media, Adams spoke with pride about his achievements as mayor, including a drop in violent crime. But he said that "constant media speculation" about his future and a decision by the city's campaign finance board to withhold public funding from his reelection effort, made it impossible to stay in the race.
"I know many New Yorkers have yet to feel the impact of those historic achievements, even as they've improved quality of life - and that the many are still worried about how affordable and safe their city is," he said.
The video also pointed to the mayor's legal troubles and the impact they have had on his ability to secure public matching funds for his campaign.
"The repeated rumors of my departure and the CFB case has undermined my ability to raise the money that is needed to mount a serious campaign," Adams said.
"And I know that many are skeptical of me after the unfortunate events surrounding my federal case and how it ended. I was charged because I fought for New York City and if I had to do it again I would fight for our city," he said.
The Trump Justice Department dropped a criminal case against Adams to free the mayor from entanglements that could interfere with his ability to carry out the president's immigration policy.
Mayor Adams had not held a campaign event for the better part of a week but had insisted to Eyewitness News that he was still serious about his re-election bid.
Every major poll showed Adams in a distant fourth place, behind Zohran Mamdani with 45%, Andrew Cuomo with 24%, Curtis Sliwa with 17%, and the mayor with 9%.
Adams' capitulation could potentially provide a lift to the campaign of former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, a fellow centrist who has portrayed himself as the only candidate potentially able to beat the Democratic Party's nominee, state Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani.
"The choice Mayor Adams made today was not an easy one, but I believe he is sincere in putting the well-being of New York City ahead of personal ambition. We face destructive extremist forces that would devastate our city through incompetence or ignorance, but it is not too late to stop them," said Cuomo in a statement following the mayor's announcement.
"Mayor Adams has much to be proud of in his accomplishments. Only in New York can a child raised in a tenement in Bushwick, who once worked as a squeegee boy and a mailroom clerk, rise to become mayor. Whatever differences we may have, Eric Adams' story is undeniably one of resilience, a testament to the spirit of this city."
It was unclear, though, whether enough Adams' supporters would shift their allegiances to Cuomo to make a difference.
A spokesperson for the mayor said Adams does not endorse either Mamdani or Cuomo.
In his video, Adams warned, "Extremism is growing in our politics. Our children are being radicalized to hate our city and our country. Political anger is turning into political violence."
He went on to say "beware of those who claim the answer is to destroy the very systems we built together over generations. That is not change. That is chaos. Instead, I urge New Yorkers to choose leaders not by what they promise, but by what they have delivered."
Democratic candidate Mamdani, who, at age 33, would be the city's youngest and most liberal mayor in generations if elected, beat Cuomo decisively in the Democratic primary by campaigning on a promise try to lower the cost of living in one of the world's most expensive cities.
Mamdani told Eyewitness News after Adams dropped out that he does not feel the race has changed.
Mayoral candidates react to incumbent Eric Adams leaving the race
"It's a race between us and the failed politics that we've seen, whether it's Andrew Cuomo or Eric Adams," he said. "It's a politics where Donald Trump and billionaire donors are determining the actions of failed executives. We're going to show that they can't dictate the outcome of this race."
Asked if he was concerned that voters who would have supported Adams would start supporting former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, Mamdani said he remains confident.
"There were months where Andrew Cuomo told everyone he could find that he wanted me to be his primary opponent, and he got that, and we beat him by 13 points," Mamdani said.
Cuomo, speaking to reporters outside of a campaign event in Queens on Sunday night, praised Adams as sincere and said his withdrawal indeed shakes up the race, while saying that New Yorkers should be "afraid" of a win by Democratic nominee Zohran Mamdani.
"I believe Mayor Adams is 100% sincere. I applaud his selflessness. You know, we often wonder, is it about us, or is it about a greater calling? And I think what Mayor Adams said today speaks volumes," Cuomo said. "He said, 'I'm going to put my personal ambition aside for the good of the city,' because he's afraid of the result if Mr. Mamdani would have (sic) win the election, and we should all be afraid of the result.
Adams no longer campaigning makes a difference, Cuomo claimed.
"It's not just about the polling. You know, the mayor was - is the incumbent mayor, so he is a potent force in the campaign; if he is not actively campaigning, that changes the entire dynamic of the race," Cuomo said. "There's now more attention on just me than just Mr. Mamdani, it is a two person race... Now we can juxtapose the two philosophies, and people can see those facts."
Cuomo said later he has not spoken to the mayor but would love to speak with him "whenever appropriate." He also said he has not spoken at all with Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa and does not believe Sliwa is a "viable candidate."
Cuomo said that Mamdani's claim that he placed behind the state assemblyman in the primary shows that Mamdani will win in November leaves out that it was "a different election" where only Democrats voted.
"This is now a much larger election where more New Yorkers will vote. And I am telling you, and I'm out there every day, New Yorkers do not support what Mamdani supports," he said.
Republican Curtis Sliwa also remains in the race, though his candidacy has been undercut from within his own party; Trump in a recent interview called him "not exactly prime time."
A spokesperson for Sliwa wrote, "Curtis Sliwa is the only candidate who can defeat Mamdani. Our team, our resources, and our funding are unmatched. Most importantly, we have the best solutions to help working people afford to stay in New York City and feel safe."
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, who has endorsed Mamdani, said in a statement after the mayor's announcement that she has been proud to have worked with Adams for the last four years, and that he leaves the city "better than he inherited it."
Mayor Adams' spokesperson said he would continue to serve his term and gave no indication he has a job lined up after he leaves office.
Adams' name will remain on the ballot, as will fellow longshot candidate Jim Walden, who also suspended his campaign and last week endorsed Cuomo.
The political career of NYC Mayor Eric Adams
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