New York City Mayor Eric Adams has officially withdrawn from his reelection campaign, dramatically altering a race that democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani has dominated.

In a nine-minute-long video posted to social media Sunday, Mr. Adams — seated on the stairs in Gracie Mansion beside a photograph of his late mother  — reflected on his administration’s accomplishments, citing improvements in public safety, education, employment and housing.

“Despite all we have achieved, I cannot continue my reelection campaign,” Mr. Adams said. “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.”

He emphasized that his candidacy was never about personal ambition.

“This campaign was never about me; it was about the people of this city from every neighborhood and background, who had been left behind and believed they would never catch up,” he said.

Mr. Adams’ exit comes five weeks out from Election Day. It opens the door for former Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Republican activist Curtis Sliwa to court his supporters and position themselves as alternatives to Mr. Mamdani’s progressive platform.

Mr. Cuomo  responded to the news by crediting Mr. Adams with “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,” Mr. Cuomo said on X. “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,” Mr. Cuomo said. “Whatever differences we may have, Eric Adams’ story is undeniably one of resilience, a testament to the spirit of this city.”

Sliwa campaign spokesperson Daniel Kurzyna said Mr. Sliwa is the best bet to defeat Mr. Mamdani.

“Our team, our resources, and our funding are unmatched,” Mr. Kurzyna said. “Most importantly, we have the best solutions to help working people afford to stay in New York City and feel safe.”

The New York Working Families Party, a liberal group, warned that Mr. Trump and his allies have been conspiring to prevent Mr. Mamdani from being elected.

“Andrew Cuomo is Donald Trump and the ultra-rich’s choice for mayor,” Jasmine Gripper and Ana Maria Archila, the group’s co-founders, said in a statement. “Zohran Mamdani is the people’s choice.”

Mr. Mamdani, a state Assemblymember who defeated Mr. Cuomo by nearly 13 points in the June Democratic primary, has maintained a commanding lead in the polls. 

A Suffolk University poll released last week showed Mr. Mamdani with a 45% to 25% lead over Mr. Cuomo. Mr. Adams and Mr. Sliwa each registered at 8%.

Mr. Mamdani’s ambitious agenda — which includes free public buses, universal child care, city-operated grocery stores and rent freezes — has sparked concern among centrist Democrats, who worry that his expansive vision could damage the party’s national image ahead of the midterms.

Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, both New York Democrats, have yet to endorse Mr. Mamdani.

Mr. Jeffries thanked Mr. Adams for his service, saying he delivered “meaningful” change.

“I will publicly weigh in with respect to the remaining candidates in the mayor’s race well before the start of early voting,” the congressman said.

Mr. Adams’ political standing never fully recovered after he was charged last year with accepting bribes and foreign campaign donations.

Earlier this year, the Trump-led Justice Department declined to pursue the case, citing concerns that prosecution could hinder Mr. Adams’ ability to govern and cooperate with federal immigration enforcement.

Critics have questioned the timing and rationale of the decision, suggesting it may have been part of a broader quid pro quo arrangement.

“Some remain unsure of me after the unfortunate events surrounding my federal case,” Mr.  Adams said in his video. “I was wrongfully charged because I fought for this city, and if I had to do it again, I would fight for New York again.”

Mr. Adams did not mention Mr. Mamdani but did issue a thinly veiled warning about the 33-year-old.

“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,” Mr. Adams said. “That is not change, that is chaos.” 

“Instead, I urge New Yorkers to choose leaders not by what they promised, but by what they have delivered,” he said.