New York City Mayor Eric Adams announced his exit from the city’s mayoral race on Sept. 28, concluding his re-election campaign just five weeks before Election Day. 

Adams announced his decision in a nine minute X post, where he spoke highly of his tenure as mayor but noted the “constant media speculation” about his future that made it hard to run a serious campaign.

“It has been an honor to be your mayor,” Adams said. “Despite all we’ve achieved, I can not continue my re-election campaign.”

He did not endorse any of the remaining candidates, but urged New Yorkers to “choose leaders not by what they promise, but by what they have delivered.”

His withdrawal could potentially lift the campaign of former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who has displayed himself as the only candidate able to beat the Democratic Party’s nominee Zohran Mamdani, who now has an 84% chance of winning the race.

In a statement after Adams’ announcement, Mamdani took aim at Cuomo, who is trying to make a political comeback after resigning as governor following multiple sexual harassment allegations. 

“New York deserves better than trading in one disgraced, corrupt politician for another,” Mamdani said. “On Nov. 4, we are going to turn the page on the politics of big money and small ideas and deliver a government every New Yorker can be proud of.”

If Mamdani prevails on Nov. 4, he would become the youngest and most progressive mayor in New York City’s modern history.