Curtis Sliwa campaigns across the five boroughs of New York City.
Republican mayoral candidate Curtis Sliwa is making significant progress in the New York City mayoral race, polling at 22%. He is closely trailing frontrunners Zohran Mamdani and Andrew Cuomo. Sliwa’s unique campaigning style, focusing on in-person engagements across all boroughs, sets him apart from rivals, especially in comparison to Democratic candidate Eric Adams, who lags behind. Despite fundraising challenges, Sliwa advocates for pro-business policies and prioritizes crime reduction as a key aspect of his campaign, emphasizing the need for effective policing to retain businesses in the city.
New York City – Curtis Sliwa, the Republican mayoral candidate, is making notable strides in the competitive race for New York City’s top office, polling at 22%, just a few points behind frontrunners Zohran Mamdani, who stands at 26%, and Andrew Cuomo, at 23%. In contrast, Sliwa’s main opponent in the Democratic primary, Eric Adams, is trailing significantly with only 13% support among voters.
Sliwa’s approach to campaigning distinguishes him from his rivals, as he emphasizes in-person engagements across all five boroughs, including public transport systems. This strategy stands in stark contrast to other candidates who often concentrate their efforts in affluent areas, such as the Hamptons. Despite his innovative campaigning style, Sliwa has faced challenges in fundraising, accumulating only $169,000 for his campaign compared to Adams’s impressive $1.5 million.
The GOP candidate has been vocal about the lack of engagement he feels from important business circles in the city. He has pointed out the NYC Partnership and its head, Kathy Wylde, for not meeting with him while still discussing issues with other candidates. Sliwa’s platform aims to restore Midtown as a business hub mainly through enhanced crime prevention measures and the removal of congestion pricing that he believes adversely affects retail traffic.
To boost the economy, Sliwa is advocating for pro-business policies such as tax cuts and reduced government bureaucracy, especially within the education sector. Sliwa’s perspective is shaped by his working-class background in Brooklyn, providing him with a narrative that contrasts markedly with the more privileged upbringings of some of his opponents. He states that he is the true business candidate in the race and suggests it would be a mistake for influential power brokers to overlook him as a serious contender.
Crime remains a pivotal issue in Sliwa’s campaign, as he insists that increasing crime rates are detrimental to the retention of businesses in New York City. He has made clear his commitment to retaining police commissioner Jessica Tisch in her position, emphasizing her positive contributions even amidst corruption scandals linked to the Adams administration.
Sliwa’s history includes noteworthy incidents that have shaped his public persona, such as staging a kidnapping of himself for publicity and surviving an actual kidnapping that nearly claimed his life. He has commented on the declining approval ratings of Cuomo and Adams, suggesting that voters might be turning to him as an alternative option. Sliwa opposes Mamdani, warning that his policies lead toward a “sea of socialism,” which he believes would be detrimental to the city.
In a personal twist, Sliwa has pledged to retire his famous red beret if he is elected mayor, addressing a frequent inquiry about its significance. Current reports indicate that Sliwa has no intention of dropping out of the race despite speculation about possible ambitions to join a future Trump administration aimed at consolidating opposition against Mamdani.
The mayoral race atmosphere in New York City is particularly fractious, characterized by the multitude of candidates vying for attention and support, which includes independent candidate Jim Walden. Sliwa’s presence emphasizes a unique narrative in this election cycle as he continues to gather significant public interest despite lacking conventional financial backing and endorsements from traditional political structures.
Ultimately, Sliwa’s rise in the polls and his approach to campaigning present a distinctive dynamic in the New York City mayoral race, as he navigates a competitive landscape filled with varied ideological platforms and voter demographics.
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