Eric Adams Withdraws from NYC Mayoral Race: Too Late to Change November Election Outcome?

The withdrawal of New York City Mayor Eric Adams from his reelection campaign could immediately impact fundraising efforts in the race.

On Sunday, Eric Adams announced his decision to step away from his struggling reelection bid, though analysts believe this move may have come too late to significantly alter the November election outcome.

With poll numbers declining and fundraising challenges mounting, Adams' withdrawal was anticipated by donors and welcomed by those hoping to boost former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo's chances against frontrunner Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani, who identifies as a democratic socialist.

Political experts expressed doubt about whether this decision can truly impact the race with just 37 days remaining until Election Day.

Multiple surveys indicate Mamdani is likely to secure victory in November, often by double-digit margins. Meanwhile, Adams had consistently ranked fourth in a field that includes Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa, founder of the Guardian Angels.

Analysts suggest that even if all of Adams' supporters shifted their votes to Cuomo, it would not be sufficient to overcome Mamdani's current polling advantage.

"Had this occurred weeks or months ago, it would have represented a significant shift and provided real momentum for Andrew Cuomo's campaign against Mamdani," explained Evan Roth Smith, founding partner at Slingshot Strategies.

Mamdani, 33, quickly responded to Adams' announcement with a video message directed at Cuomo: "Andrew Cuomo, you got your wish. You wanted Trump and your billionaire friends to help clear the field. But remember, you wanted me as your primary opponent too, and we defeated you by 13 points. Looking forward to repeating that on November 4."

Notably, Adams, 65, missed the September 11 deadline to remove his name from the ballot, meaning voters will still see him as an option despite his withdrawal from the race.

Smith added that Adams' exit "doesn't represent as substantial a reorganization of the race as it might have if it had happened earlier. It's insufficient and too late to fundamentally change the dynamics."

Some polls suggest Cuomo, 67, would have better chances against Mamdani in a head-to-head contest, which would require Sliwa to withdraw. However, Sliwa has repeatedly refused to exit the race despite numerous requests.

"They've attempted various strategies to remove me from the race. Truthfully, the only way would be if something unfortunate happened to me, like being struck by a Mack truck," Sliwa, 71, told Bloomberg in July. "That's not happening."

Smith noted that Sliwa doesn't view a potential Mamdani administration as the "existential" threat that some who pressure him to withdraw believe it would be.

"I believe Curtis Sliwa can accept a New York City where he loses with dignity and Zohran Mamdani becomes mayor," Smith commented.

Adams' withdrawal could have an immediate effect on fundraising efforts. Many potential donors have been waiting for consolidation among anti-Mamdani candidates before committing their support. Following Adams' announcement on Sunday, several donors contacted representatives of Fix the City, a PAC supporting Cuomo's candidacy, to discuss potential contributions, according to a source familiar with these conversations.

Some political strategists suggested that Adams' departure might actually harm Cuomo's campaign. The New York Times reported that the former governor had spoken with Donald Trump about getting involved in the race to prevent Mamdani's victory.

"If I were Mamdani, one narrative emerging from this campaign would be that Andrew Cuomo and Donald Trump achieved exactly what they wanted when Adams dropped out," said Basil Smikle Jr., former executive director of the New York State Democratic Party and professor at Columbia University's School of Professional Studies.

Cuomo should not assume Adams' withdrawal simplifies his path to victory, warned Democratic strategist Hank Sheinkopf.

"It would be a mistake for Cuomo to believe Adams' departure means this race is secured," said Sheinkopf, who manages a pro-Adams PAC. "Cuomo carries significant negative perceptions. He'll struggle to make comparative arguments. Unless voters truly understand who Mamdani is, why would they vote against him?"

"Cuomo will argue his superior qualifications and experience for running the city," Sheinkopf added. "But if that argument were truly convincing, he wouldn't have lost the primary so decisively. The fundamental strategy remains unchanged – you need to define Mamdani."