NEW YORK (WPIX) – New York City Mayor Eric Adams, a Democrat, is planning to run as an independent in the 2025 mayoral election, he announced on Thursday. “When New Yorkers worry about their bills at the kitchen table or feeling safe on the subway platform, they don’t expect their political party to help,” Adams said in an announcement video. “They want leadership from a person who understands their struggle and their story. There isn’t a liberal or conservative way to fix New York, but there is a right way.” Adams said he is skipping the Democratic primary, despite still considering himself a Democrat, to "appeal directly to all New Yorkers as an independent candidate in the general election." "I have always put New York’s people before politics and party — and I always will. I am running for mayor in the general election because our city needs independent leadership that understands working people," he wrote on X. Eric Adams corruption case dismissed by federal judge: ‘Smacks of a bargain’ The announcement comes a day after the corruption charges against him were dropped. Judge Dale Ho ordered the case to be dropped with prejudice, which means the charges against Adams cannot be brought up again. The charges, brought last year during former President Joe Biden's administration, accused Adams of accepting illegal campaign contributions and travel discounts from a Turkish official and others, in exchange for helping Turkey open a diplomatic building without passing fire inspections, among other things. The mayor pleaded not guilty and was set for a trial in April, but the case was upended after President Donald Trump's Justice Department moved to drop the charges so Adams could assist with the president's immigration agenda, while leaving open the possibility that the case could be revived. The highly unusual move set off a firestorm of criticism and resignations, while throwing Adams' mayoralty in doubt, with many political figures in New York questioning whether Adams was now beholden to the Trump administration. Adams spoke outside of Gracie Mansion on Wednesday after the charges were dropped, saying the charges never should have been brought against him. “As I’ve said all along, this case should have never been brought, and I did nothing wrong,” he said. “I also want to apologize to New Yorkers for having to go through this with me.” The Associated Press contributed to this report. ...read more read less