If you've been following the chaotic world of New York City politics, you've probably asked the same question lately: Is Adams running for reelection? The short answer? No. He’s out.
The long answer is a lot messier. Honestly, it's one of the most dramatic exits in the city's political history. Eric Adams, once the self-proclaimed "face of the new Democratic Party," isn't just not running—he's already out of Gracie Mansion. As of January 2026, New York has a brand-new mayor, and Adams is busy launching cryptocurrency tokens that are, well, crashing.
The Shocker in September
For a long time, Adams insisted he was staying in the race. He even tried to pivot, leaving the Democratic primary to run as an independent under the "Safe & Affordable" party line. But on September 28, 2025, everything changed.
Basically, the pressure became too much. Between a federal indictment that was eventually dismissed (thanks to some surprising help from the Trump administration's DOJ) and a massive loss of public support, Adams threw in the towel. He blamed "unfortunate events" for his decision, but most insiders saw the writing on the wall. He was polling at around 9% in some surveys. You just can't win with those numbers.
Who Actually Won?
Since Adams dropped out, you're probably wondering who took his place. In a massive upset, Zohran Mamdani, a 34-year-old democratic socialist and former state assemblyman, won the election.
Mamdani defeated former Governor Andrew Cuomo and Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa. It was a wild night on November 4, 2025. Mamdani ended up with about 50.8% of the vote. He made history as the city's first Muslim and first South Asian mayor.
The Timeline of the Reelection Collapse
To understand why people are still asking if Adams is running, you have to look at how quickly the wheels fell off. It wasn't just one thing; it was a pile-up.
- April 2025: Adams leaves the Democratic primary to run as an independent.
- July 2025: A federal judge blocks Adams from getting $3.5 million in public matching funds. This was a huge blow to his campaign's wallet.
- September 2, 2025: Rival Jim Walden drops out, tightening the race.
- September 28, 2025: Adams officially suspends his campaign.
- November 4, 2025: The General Election happens without an active Adams campaign (though his name stayed on the ballot because it was too late to change).
The Federal Indictment Twist
The biggest reason for the "is he or isn't he" confusion was his legal drama. In late 2024, Adams was indicted on five federal counts, including bribery and wire fraud. He was the first sitting NYC mayor to face such charges.
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But then, in early 2025, the U.S. Department of Justice—under the second Trump administration—did something nobody expected. They dropped the charges. They claimed the case was politically motivated. While Adams was legally cleared, the political damage was done. Most New Yorkers (about 69%, according to Marist) still thought he should resign.
Why Adams Still Appeared on the Ballot
Even though he quit in September, if you looked at a ballot in November 2025, you still saw "Eric Adams." This led to a lot of people thinking he was still in it.
The Board of Elections has a very strict deadline. Because Adams waited until late September to quit, they couldn't scrub his name. He ended up getting a tiny fraction of the vote—about 0.3%. It was a ghost candidacy.
What is Eric Adams doing now?
Now that it's 2026, Adams has moved on to "Phase Two." Just this week, he launched something called the NYC Token. It’s a cryptocurrency he claims will fight "anti-Americanism."
It hasn't gone well. The coin crashed almost immediately after launch, leading to "rug pull" accusations from the crypto community. He’s also facing a defamation lawsuit from his former interim police commissioner, Tom Donlon. So, while he isn't running the city anymore, he's certainly not staying out of the headlines.
What This Means for New York's Future
With Mamdani in charge, the city is moving in a completely different direction. He’s pushing for free buses and a "Department of Community Safety" that uses mental health workers instead of just police.
If you were hoping for a second Adams term, that ship has sailed. The political landscape has shifted toward the left, and the "law and order" Democrat era that Adams represented seems to be over for now.
Actionable Insights for NYC Voters
- Check the New Administration: Follow Mayor Mamdani’s first 100 days to see how his "Free Bus" pilot program is actually working.
- Watch the Courts: Keep an eye on the Tom Donlon lawsuit. It could reveal more about how the Adams administration functioned behind closed doors.
- Crypto Warning: If you see any "NYC Token" ads, be extremely cautious. Given the recent crash, it’s a high-risk venture.
- Register for 2026: Even though the mayor’s race is over, local city council and state elections are always around the corner. Make sure your registration is current at the NYC Board of Elections.
The era of Eric Adams as mayor is officially in the rearview mirror. Whether you loved his "swagger" or couldn't wait for him to leave, the city is under new management.