In a surprising turn of events, New York City Mayor Eric Adams has announced the termination of his re-election campaign, merely five weeks before the upcoming election. Adams cited relentless media speculation and the city campaign finance board’s refusal to grant him public matching funds as the primary reasons for his decision. This withdrawal leaves the race to Democrat Zohran Mamdani, former governor Andrew Cuomo, and Republican Curtis Sliwa. Adams, initially elected as a Democrat in 2022, had chosen to run as an independent following his indictment for alleged bribery and fraud, which was later dismissed under the Trump administration’s directive. In a heartfelt video shared on social media, Adams expressed his inability to continue the campaign due to the financial and reputational challenges posed by the media and the finance board’s decisions. He refrained from endorsing any of his rivals but subtly criticized Mamdani, the Democratic front-runner, warning against the dangers of radical change. Adams’ political journey has been marred by corruption allegations, disputes over immigration policies, and public discontent with the city’s escalating living costs. Despite the dismissal of charges against him earlier this year, the shadow of controversy lingered, affecting his re-election prospects. Adams will complete his term, which concludes on January 1, and his name will remain on the ballot as the deadline for changes has passed.