Jim Walden has ended his independent campaign for mayor, effective Wednesday, releasing a statement that said in part:
"From the bottom of my heart, I thank my campaign staff and consultants, who believed in our campaign and worked tirelessly to accomplish all that we did. I thank the many people who supported and endorsed us. I know today's news will disappoint all of them.
But, in a choice between values and ambitions, values must win. For months I have been steadfast in my view that, unless there is a one-on-one race in November, a Trojan Horse will take control of City Hall. I cannot spend more public money in the futile hope I am the one called to battle.
For those still trailing in the polls by month's end, I implore each to consider how history will judge them if they allow vanity or stubborn ambition to usher in Mr. Mamdani. His past words reveal his extreme bigotry toward police, his authentic commitment to communism, his antisemitic obsessions, and his sympathies for terrorists. At bottom, he is proud of his radical beliefs. Those beliefs define him. They have never shifted, despite his attempts to sound moderate now. They will shape his whole administration. For these very reasons, the other candidates have all said Mr. Mamdani represents an existential threat to New York City. Talk is cheap. Respectfully, it is time to "walk the walk" for the good of the City."
