Possible candidates for mayor quickly backed away from the race on Thursday, just hours after prosecutors announced they would not charge the mayor or his aides following a long-running corruption probe. NY1's Courtney Gross filed the following report.

The pathway to Mayor Bill de Blasio's re-election got a lot clearer on Thursday. 

"We're going to keep moving forward, and I think that's what people want to talk about," the mayor said.

Cleared of any charges, says two prosecutors in Manhattan. That means, almost instantaneously, a challenge to the sitting mayor in this year's mayor's race got much, much tougher. 

"If nothing changes between now and November, yes, I think Bill de Blasio will get re-elected," said Bradley Tusk, a de Blasio opponent.

Tusk is trying to recruit challengers to take on the incumbent. 

"There are not any indictments, and I think as a result, the kinds of candidates, a Stringer, a Quinn, a Jeffries who may have run and could have been competitive are a lot less likely to do so now," Tusk said.

"The mayor and his folks have been absolved. That's a good thing. We can all now focus on the business of the people of the city of New York," said Rep. Hakeem Jeffries of Brooklyn.

NY1 was told the congressman will make an official decision on running sometime this spring.

Others were almost immediately backing away Thursday afternoon. Just hours after Thursday's announcement, the city comptroller told NY1 he would be running for re-election. 

"Now we can get about the business of governing," City Comptroller Scott Stringer said.

Sources close to Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. told us he is expected to run for re-election as well. 

Lesser known Democrats weren't changing their tactics.

"I certainly think he should be charged. I am running against him," said challenger Bo Dietl.

"The mayor has cleared the criminal hurdle, but obviously, he has not cleared the unethical and inappropriate hurdle," said challenger Sal Albanese.

The mayor's main Republican opponent, Paul Massey, used the announcement as ammo. He said the mayor should reimburse the city for the millions of dollars spent on legal fees. 

Massey was not available to go on camera.