New York City’s mayoral race has entered a new phase following Mayor Eric Adams’ announcement that he would not seek reelection. His exit clears the path for Democratic Socialist candidate Zohran Mamdani, who released a video message Sunday framing the election as a historic turning point for city politics.
“Trump and his billionaire donors might be able to determine Adams and Cuomo’s actions. But they won’t decide this election,” Mamdani wrote on X. “In just over five weeks, we’ll turn the page on the politics of big money and small ideas — and deliver a government every New Yorker can be proud of.”
In his recorded message, Mamdani criticized Adams’ record, claiming the mayor raised rents, slowed transit, and cut school and library funding. “A city that was already hard has become nearly impossible for those who call it home. But a new day is coming,” he said, highlighting his campaign’s grassroots organizing as the largest in city history.
Mamdani also targeted former Governor Andrew Cuomo, who re-entered city politics after Adams’ struggles. “You wanted me as your opponent in the primary, too, and we beat you by 13 points,” Mamdani said, vowing to defeat Cuomo again in November.
Adams, in his withdrawal video, defended his record of reducing crime, expanding housing, and improving education but acknowledged fundraising shortfalls left him unable to compete.
Polling shows Mamdani in a commanding lead. A Suffolk University CityView survey conducted September 16–18 placed him at 45 percent, ahead of Cuomo at 25 percent, Republican nominee Curtis Sliwa at nine percent, and Adams at eight percent. Affordability, crime, and jobs topped voter concerns.
Mamdani has drawn support from progressive Democrats including Sen. Bernie Sanders, Rep. Jamie Raskin, and Gov. Kathy Hochul. Yet his policies have raised alarm among moderates. Sen. John Fetterman warned he does not “really agree with virtually any” of Mamdani’s positions, while Rep. Tom Suozzi and Rep. Laura Gillen voiced concerns about his socialist platform.
