Jim Walden, an independent candidate for New York City mayor, dropped out of the race on Tuesday. He urged other candidates to support the second-most popular choice to try to defeat New York State Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani.
Recent polls show Mamdani leading the crowded field, with former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo as his main competitor.
Newsweek reached out to Mamdani’s campaign via email Tuesday for comment.
Why It Matters
Mamdani’s rise as a potential face of the Democratic Party in New York City has sparked debate about the party’s future direction. His platform is very different from the more centrist, establishment-aligned candidates.
Mamdani has taken a bolder approach than many traditional Democrats, who usually favor gradual reform and avoid major tax increases for high earners.
He has proposed higher taxes for residents earning over $1 million, raising corporate tax rates, and introducing a citywide rent freeze. His campaign focuses on affordability, housing justice, and public services like free childcare, city-run grocery stores, and public transportation.
As a Democratic socialist, Mamdani has not received key endorsements from New York Democratic leaders like U.S. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, Governor Kathy Hochul, and U.S. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries.
What To Know
Walden, an attorney, announced his decision on X, saying: “In a choice between values and ambitions, values must win. 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.”
According to The New York Times, Walden called Mamdani the “most dangerous” candidate left, citing his past statements on defunding the police, Israel, and his membership in the Democratic Socialists of America. Mamdani has since clarified his position on policing, calling for strategic changes in operations.
Walden added, “The math is the math. And it doesn’t make sense for me to continue to push to surge, only to take votes away from another candidate or other candidates who are going to need it.”
He also said he plans to “encourage all of the candidates remaining in the race to coalesce around the front-runner at the end of the month,” according to the Times.
Recent polls show Mamdani clearly in the lead, but the race narrows when it becomes a three-way contest with Cuomo and Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa.
An August survey by American Pulse Research & Polling showed Mamdani at 36.9 percent, up 1.7 points from July. The poll surveyed 638 likely voters and has a 3.9 percent margin of error. Cuomo was at 24.6 percent, a 4.4-point drop, while Sliwa had 16.8 percent, slightly up 0.7 points. Mayor Eric Adams received 11.4 percent, down 2.4 points.
A Tulchin Research poll suggested Mamdani would lose in a head-to-head matchup with Cuomo, 52 percent to 41 percent. If the full field remained, including Walden, Mamdani would have 42 percent, Cuomo 26 percent, Sliwa 17 percent, Adams 9 percent, and Walden 3 percent. This poll surveyed 1,000 likely New York voters with a 3.1 percent margin of error.
An August survey by AARP New York and Gotham Polling & Analytics also shows Mamdani leading with 41.8 percent, compared to Cuomo’s 23.4 percent, Sliwa’s 16.5 percent, and Adams’ 8.8 percent. In a head-to-head with Cuomo, Mamdani leads 42 percent to 31 percent. The poll surveyed 1,376 likely voters with a 3.2 percent margin of error.
What People Are Saying
Rich Azzopardi, Cuomo’s spokesman, told the Times: “Jim Walden put ego and ambition aside for the good of New York City. His decision underscores the existential threat our city faces in Zohran Mamdani.”
Todd Shapiro, Adams’ spokesperson, told the Times: “While others may choose to exit the race, Mayor Adams is focused on the future—delivering results and leading this city forward. We are confident millions of New Yorkers will proudly stand with him at the polls.”
Former New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio posted on X: “Andrew Cuomo can never believably say he’s going to change the status quo in NYC — because he helped create it. @ZohranKMamdani won the Democratic primary by bringing a new vision to our city, focused on the affordability we need. Let’s send him to City Hall.”
What Happens Next
The general election is scheduled for November 4. Analysts say the outcome could depend on whether independent or third-party candidates, like Cuomo and Adams, remain in the race or drop out.
