Mayor Eric Adams launched his campaign for a second term leading New York City, hoping to build on his first four years. Initially, his path to re-election seemed possible, but the political ground beneath him was unstable.
His campaign soon faced serious challenges when multiple scandals came to light, which caused many voters to lose their trust. The situation grew far more severe when federal prosecutors announced a formal indictment, accusing him of serious crimes like bribery and fraud.
Adding to the turmoil, Adams made a controversial decision to meet with former President Trump. This move angered many of his traditional supporters, who felt it was a betrayal of his party's values. The meeting was a major political risk that did not pay off.
With his reputation damaged by legal troubles and unpopular alliances, his campaign was left foundering. Financial support disappeared and his poll numbers dropped sharply. Realizing that victory was impossible, Adams officially announced he was ending his bid for re-election.