NYC Mayor Eric Adams Ditches the Democrat Party

New York City Mayor Eric Adams has announced he’s ditching the Democratic primary and will instead run for re-election as an independent, citing legal troubles and plummeting support.

Key Facts:

Mayor Eric Adams confirmed to Politico he is leaving the Democratic primary and will run as an independent in November 2025.
A federal judge dismissed bribery charges against Adams on Wednesday.
A March Quinnipiac University poll showed Adams with just 11% support among Democrats; former Governor Andrew Cuomo led with 31%.
Adams blamed Cuomo for bail reform laws he says fueled crime during the COVID-19 era.
He plans to submit the 3,750 signatures needed to get on the general election ballot by May 27.

The Rest of The Story:

Mayor Adams’ decision to run as an independent follows months of mounting pressure.

His approval rating dropped to just 20%, and former Governor Andrew Cuomo’s entry into the race quickly made him the Democratic frontrunner.

Cuomo has a strong base and more name recognition, despite his own history of scandal.

Adams said the now-dismissed federal bribery case “handcuffed” his administration and campaign.

He claimed the case unfairly slowed his momentum, comparing himself to a “racehorse held back.”

In the interview, Adams also attacked Cuomo’s record on crime, criticizing the former governor for enacting bail reform laws that Adams believes contributed to New York City’s public safety problems.

By breaking from the Democratic Party, Adams is trying to revive his campaign without the burden of a primary battle he admits he couldn’t win.

NYC Mayor Eric Adams dropping out of Democratic primary, will seek re-election as independent https://t.co/lev6dSRPv8 pic.twitter.com/p3rD10DXjF

— New York Post (@nypost) April 3, 2025

Commentary:

This move feels like a long time coming.

Eric Adams, despite being a lifelong Democrat, was never fully embraced by the party’s progressive wing.

His attempts to push back against mass illegal immigration and defend policing made him a target for the left.

And once the federal government came after him with bribery charges—now dismissed—it became clear: Adams was being politically punished for breaking ranks.

If Adams had been in any city besides deep-blue New York, he might have switched parties altogether.

But joining the GOP in NYC is political suicide.

So, like many centrist Democrats under fire, he chose the independent route.

We don’t forget that Adams still leans left on plenty of issues.

His record includes backing questionable COVID restrictions and towing the line on climate policies.

He’s not exactly a beacon of small government or fiscal restraint.

That said, watching the Democrats eat their own is revealing.

The same people who championed Adams as the face of the party’s future quickly turned on him when he challenged the narrative on crime and border policy.

His break from the party may not win him re-election, but it’s a rare moment of clarity.

The Democratic machine in New York wants total compliance.

Step out of line, and you’re out—charges or no charges.

He may be a leftist at heart, but we can still recognize when someone’s getting railroaded for speaking basic truths.

Best of luck, Mr. Mayor—you’ll need it.

The Bottom Line:

Eric Adams is running for re-election as an independent after losing support within his own party and being cleared of federal charges.

With Andrew Cuomo leading the Democratic field, Adams faces long odds in a city where Democrats dominate.

His departure from the primary is both a political calculation and a reflection of how little room there is for dissent in today’s Democratic Party.