NYC Mayor Eric Adams made a shocking announcement Thursday, revealing he will not compete in the Democratic primary and will instead seek re-election as an independent. He blamed the lengthy legal battle surrounding his now-dismissed corruption case for his decision. Adams claimed the case prevented him from properly preparing for a primary campaign.

“More than 25,000 New Yorkers signed my Democratic primary petition, but the dismissal of the bogus case against me dragged on too long, making it impossible to mount a primary campaign while these false accusations were held over me,” Adams said.

Despite stepping away from the Democratic nomination, Adams insisted he remains committed to his party’s values. He argued that the city needs leadership that is not influenced by political extremes. His announcement came in a campaign video where he framed himself as a candidate for all New Yorkers.

The move is risky. Adams’ first term has been marred by scandal and plummeting approval ratings. Critics immediately attacked him, accusing him of abandoning the Democratic Party and moving closer to Trump. NYC Council Speaker Adrienne Adams claimed the decision was proof of Adams’ growing ties to Trump. Other Democrats, including State Senator Zellnor Myrie and Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani, also criticized the mayor’s decision.

Adams will now have until May 27 to submit the necessary petitions to qualify for the general election ballot. He needs at least 3,750 signatures to make his independent run official. His campaign finances are also a concern, with only $3 million cash on hand after a poor fundraising period.

The decision to leave the Democratic primary follows a federal judge’s ruling to dismiss Adams’ corruption case with prejudice, ensuring the charges cannot be revived. While Adams hopes this will clear his path for re-election, he will now have to fight an uphill battle without the backing of the Democratic Party. The mayor’s fate will ultimately rest in the hands of the voters.