Independent NYC mayoral candidate Jim Walden announced Tuesday he’s dropping out of the race, and urged other candidates to do the same in the hopes of defeating Democratic nominee Zohran Mamdani.
Walden, an attorney, said it’s time for the others in the race to follow suit and consolidate behind one candidate in order to set up a head to head match with the progressive Mamdani, whose pro-Palestinian positions and support for tax hikes to fund an affordability agenda has sparked blowback.
The other candidates now in the race are Mayor Eric Adams and former Gov, Andrew Cuomo, both running an independents; and Republican Curtis Sliwa. Most polls show Mamdani winning handily against a divided field.
“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,” Walden said in a statement. “I cannot spend more public money in the futile hope I am the one called to battle.
“For those still trailing in the polls by month’s end, I implore each to consider how history will judge them if they allow vanity or stubborn ambition to usher in Mr. Mamdani.”
Walden had previously pledged to support whoever was the strongest challenger to Mamdani come the end of the month. The former prosecutor himself has been polling at around 1%.
Cuomo has taken a similar stand, saying he or Adams — whoever is trailing in the polls- should drop out to avoid splitting the more moderate vote. Adams has soundly rejected the idea.
Walden had so far received $2.3 million through the city’s 8-to-1 public matching funds program, and he still has still has $1.2 million in his campaign coffers. Per Campaign Finance Board rules, Walden will likely be required to pay back those matching funds.
“From the bottom of my heart, I thank my campaign staff and consultants, who believed in our campaign and worked tirelessly to accomplish all that we did,” Walden said. “I thank the many people who supported and endorsed us. I know today’s news will disappoint all of them.”
“Today Jim Walden put ego and ambition aside for the good of New York City,” Rich Azzopardi, Cuomo’s spokesperson, said in a statement, adding that a Mamdani mayoralty poses an “existential threat” to New York City.
Spokespeople for Mamdani and Adams did not immediately return requests for comment.
It’s unclear if Walden’s name will remain on the ballot in November.