Sept. 6 (UPI) -- New York Mayor Eric Adams said he will continue seeking re-election as an independent, denying reports he will drop out and become the U.S. ambassador to Saudi Arabia.
Adams lost to New York Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani in the June Democratic primary. The Nov. 4 general election field includes former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who also was defeated in the primary, and Republican Curtis Sliwa. Mamdani is the front-runner in the race to lead the city of 8.5 million people, the largest in the nation.
"Serving New Yorkers as their mayor is the only job I've ever wanted. I'm proud of the progress we've made lowering crime, improving schools, building housing, and cutting costs for working families -- and I remain the best person to lead this city forward," Adams said in a statement posted Friday on X. "While I will always listen if called to serve our country, no formal offers have been made. I am still running for reelection, and my full focus is on the safety and quality of life of every New Yorker."
The New York Times reported that Adams' close advisers have been seeking to have President Donald Trump nominate him for the ambassador post. Sliwa also reportedly will be offered a position in the Trump administration, though the Republican said publicly he isn't interested in working there.
