Independent candidate Jim Walden on Tuesday said he is dropping out of the New York City mayoral race and urged other candidates to do the same in order to defeat front-runner Zohran Mamdani.
Walden, a lawyer who ran as a technocrat, said even though he still had his "values and ambitions" to be the next mayor, he would step aside so a clear opponent can emerge to defeat Mamdani, the Democratic mayoral nominee on Nov. 4.
"For months I have been steadfast in my view that, unless there is a one-on-one race in November, a Trojan Horse will take control of City Hall. I cannot spend more public money in the futile hope I am the one called to battle," he said in a statement.
He urged the remaining candidates, former Governor Andrew Cuomo, Mayor Eric Adams and Republican nominee Curtis Sliwa, to "walk the walk" for the good of the city.
Walden said in order to beat Mamdani, the remaining candidate would need to emulate Mamdani's campaign.
"He has dominated the race through three integrated strategies: positive messaging, creative social media, and an energetic field operation. It is not too late to beat him using his own playbook," Walden said. "If a candidate quickly harnesses all three—with an achievable, free-market vision for solving our many problems—that candidate can win."
Rich Azzopardi, Cuomo's campaign spokesperson, said it was good to see Walden put his "ego and ambition aside for the good of New York City."
"His decision underscores the existential threat our city faces in Zohran Mamdani—a dangerously inexperienced 33-year-old socialist with no meaningful work experience, no record of governing or accomplishment, and a reckless ideology that would jeopardize public safety, economic growth, and the very future of New York City," Azzopardi said in a statement.
Adams, who appeared on a PIX11 morning news program, said he still sees a path to victory in November.
"...we're going to continue to move forward and just stay focused," Adams said.
