NEW YORK (WABC) — Eric Adams’ opponents in the mayoral race reacted to his decision to drop out on Sunday.

Adams’ capitulation could potentially provide a lift to the campaign of former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, a fellow centrist who portrayed himself as the only candidate able to beat the Democratic Party’s nominee, state Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani.

It is unclear, though, whether enough Adams supporters will shift their allegiances to Cuomo to make a difference.

Mamdani, who, at age 33, would be the city’s youngest and most liberal mayor in generations if elected, defeated Cuomo decisively in the Democratic primary by campaigning on a promise to lower the cost of living in one of the world’s most expensive cities.

Mamdani told Eyewitness News that after Adams dropped out, he does not feel the race has changed.

“It’s a race between us and the failed politics that we’ve seen, whether it’s Andrew Cuomo or Eric Adams,” he said. “It’s a politics where Donald Trump and billionaire donors are determining the actions of failed executives. We’re going to show that they can’t dictate the outcome of this race.”

Asked if he was concerned that voters who would have supported Adams would start supporting former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, Mamdani said he remains confident.

“There were months where Andrew Cuomo told everyone he could find that he wanted me to be his primary opponent, and he got that, and we beat him by 13 points,” Mamdani said. “And I’m just as confident as I was at the beginning of this general election that we’re going to win this race, and we’re going to do it by speaking to New Yorkers across the five boroughs… You’re feeling the affordability crisis in the most expensive city in the United States of America. We’re the only campaign with a plan to deliver that affordability.”

Mamdani was also asked about President Donald Trump’s interest in the mayoral race.

“Donald Trump will do what Donald Trump wants to do, but the important thing is to understand why he’s so interested,” he said. “He ran a campaign speaking about cheaper groceries and a lower cost of living. That’s the campaign that we ran. The difference is that he has shown no interest in delivering on that agenda, instead just persecuting his supposed political enemies. Our campaign is sincere in these commitments, and that’s what scares him.”

Cuomo, speaking to reporters outside of a campaign event in Queens on Sunday night, praised Adams as sincere and said his withdrawal indeed shakes up the race, while saying that New Yorkers should be “afraid” of a win by Democratic nominee Zohran Mamdani.

“I believe Mayor Adams is 100% sincere. I applaud his selflessness. You know, we often wonder, is it about us, or is it about a greater calling? And I think what Mayor Adams said today speaks volumes,” Cuomo said. “He said, ‘I’m going to put my personal ambition aside for the good of the city,’ because he’s afraid of the result if Mr. Mamdani would have (sic) win the election, and we should all be afraid of the result.

Adams no longer campaigning makes a difference, Cuomo claimed.

“It’s not just about the polling. You know, the mayor was – is the incumbent mayor, so he is a potent force in the campaign; if he is not actively campaigning, that changes the entire dynamic of the race,” Cuomo said. “There’s now more attention on just me than just Mr. Mamdani, it is a two person race… Now we can juxtapose the two philosophies, and people can see those facts.”

Cuomo said later he has not spoken to the mayor but would love to speak with him “whenever appropriate.” He also said he has not spoken at all with Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa and does not believe Sliwa is a “viable candidate.”

Cuomo said that Mamdani’s claim that he placed behind the state assemblyman in the primary shows that Mamdani will win in November leaves out that it was “a different election” where only Democrats voted.

“This is now a much larger election where more New Yorkers will vote. And I am telling you, and I’m out there every day, New Yorkers do not support what Mamdani supports,” he said.

Republican Curtis Sliwa also remains in the race, though his candidacy has been undercut from within his own party; Trump in a recent interview called him “not exactly prime time.”

A spokesperson for Sliwa wrote, “Curtis Sliwa is the only candidate who can defeat Mamdani. Our team, our resources, and our funding are unmatched. Most importantly, we have the best solutions to help working people afford to stay in New York City and feel safe.”

Mayor Adams’ spokesperson said he would continue to serve his term and gave no indication he has a job lined up after he leaves office.

Adams’ name will remain on the ballot, as will fellow longshot candidate Jim Walden, who also suspended his campaign and last week endorsed Cuomo.

Eyewitness News Anchor Bill Ritter takes a look back at the political career of New York City Mayor Eric Adams.

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