(The Daily Signal) – Mayor Eric Adams has dropped out of the race for New York City mayor, warning that the election of socialist Zohran Mamdani would sow “chaos.”

Adams announced his decision in a video released Sunday.

”Major change is welcome and necessary. But beware of those who claim the answer [is] to destroy the very system we built together over generations. That is not change, that is chaos.”

Adams had faced enormous pressure to drop out, as a four-man race between Mamdani, Adams, former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Republican nominee Curtis Sliwa would virtually guarantee the socialist Mandami’s victory.

A Suffolk University CityView Poll released last week showed Mamdani far ahead of his rivals, taking 45% support from New Yorkers very or somewhat likely to vote in the general election for mayor. Cuomo was closest behind with 25% support. Adams was polling a distant fourth in the race.

Mamdani reacted to Adams’ withdrawal with a statement saying that voters in November will “turn the page on the politics of big money and small ideas,” Fox News reported.

Sliwa responded by posting on X that he’s the “only candidate who can defeat Mamdani.”

Cuomo said the choice Adams has made was “not an easy one,” adding that Adams’ story is “undeniably one of resilience, a testament to the spirit of the city.” Like Adams, he warned of the dangers of a Mandami victory.

“We face destructive extremist forces that would devastate our city through incompetence or ignorance, but it is not too late to stop them.”

Adams insisted his withdrawal did not mean the end of his public service. “I will keep fighting for the city, no matter what,” he said, “because I am a New Yorker and fighting for our city is just what I do.”