Updated Jun 22, 2021 - Politics & Policy

Yang concedes NYC mayor's race, but primary winner may not be named for weeks

Rebecca Falconer

Mayoral candidate Andrew Yang greets supporters at a Manhattan hotel as he concedes in his campaign for mayor on June 22, 2021 in New York City. — Andrew Yang outside a Manhattan hotel as he concedes in his campaign for mayor in New York City on Tuesday night. Photo: Spencer Platt/Getty Images

Andrew Yang announced Tuesday night that he's dropping out of the New York City mayoral race.

Why it matters: The 46-year-old Democrat gained a following during his 2020 presidential campaign and was an early front-runner in the Democratic mayoral primary, which is for the first time taking place under a ranked choice voting system.

What he's saying: "I am not going to be the next mayor of New York City based upon the numbers that have come in tonight," Yang said in video filmed by New York Daily News reporter Shant Shahrigian.

"I am conceding this race, though we’re not sure ultimately who the next mayor is going to be. But whoever that person is, I will be very happy to work with them."

The big picture: Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams was the early front-runner after polls closed on Tuesday, but the winner won't be announced for some time.

The Board of Elections will conduct a votes tally on June 29, but it won't analyze absentee ballots until July 6, per AP.

Of note: Guardian Angels founder Curtis Sliwa beat businessman Fernando Mateo to win the Republican primary Tuesday night.

The winner of the Democratic primary is expected to be elected mayor in November's general election.

Go deeper... Podcast: New York City prepares to pick its next mayor

Editor's note: This article has been updated with new details throughout.

Add Axios on Google

Yang concedes NYC mayor's race, but primary winner may not be named for weeks

What to read next