News Summary
Curtis Sliwa, the Republican mayoral candidate, is attracting attention from business leaders due to his competitive polling against Democratic candidates. A recent meeting with Kathryn Wylde, CEO of NYC Partnership, centered on his pro-business agenda focusing on public safety, tax reductions, and economic growth. While Adams and Cuomo are seen as weaker candidates, Sliwa is stepping up fundraising efforts and gaining traction among influential business figures, although questions about his competition against progressive candidate Mamdani remain.
New York City – Curtis Sliwa, the Republican mayoral candidate and founder of the Guardian Angels, is garnering attention from business leaders after his recent performance in polls indicating a competitive standing against Democratic counterparts. A notable meeting took place between Sliwa and Kathryn Wylde, the CEO of the NYC Partnership, where Sliwa outlined his platform focused on public safety, economic growth, and tax reductions.
The meeting, held without other business leaders present, lasted about an hour and highlighted Sliwa’s vision for New York City. Excitement within the business community is tempered by uncertainty regarding current Mayor Eric Adams and former Governor Andrew Cuomo’s ability to mount an effective opposition against progressive candidate Zohran Mamdani. Recent polling suggests that Sliwa garnered 22% support, placing him in a statistical tie with Mamdani and Cuomo, while Adams lagged at 13%.
In the past, business leaders have typically attended meetings with mayoral candidates. However, Sliwa’s gathering with Wylde underscored an increasing interest in his candidacy, particularly after his emergence as a legitimate contender in the mayoral race. This shift comes as Sliwa has noted a change in business support; it has levelled off amid concerns surrounding Adams and Cuomo’s political capabilities. Additionally, Sliwa’s recent fundraising figures reveal a considerable gap, with him raising $169,000 compared to Adams’ $1.5 million.
Sliwa’s campaign emphasizes a pro-business agenda with key focuses on enhancing public safety, cutting taxes, and minimizing bureaucratic hurdles, especially in the Education Department. His advocacy for public safety is likely informed by his long-standing involvement in crime prevention as a public figure in New York City.
Accompanying Sliwa during the meeting was Ed Cox, chair of the New York State Republican Party, alongside staffers from Democratic City Councilman Robert Holden, who is being considered for a potential role in a Sliwa administration. The coalition’s strength aims to present a unified front against the increasing influence of Mamdani, whose socialist policies have raised concerns among business leaders about effective city management.
Despite having indicated that initial business support was inclined toward Adams, many leaders are reassessing their positions in light of Mamdani’s surprising viability. Skepticism about Mamdani’s capability to govern effectively is prevalent, especially given his lack of extensive work experience compared to seasoned political candidates.
It’s important to note that business leaders in the city represent a crucial but not the largest voting bloc; they play a significant role in fundraising efforts, which is a vital aspect of any mayoral candidate’s strategy. While Sliwa is gaining traction among them based on his anti-crime platform and community engagement, he faces challenges in catching up with more established politicians in terms of fundraising and long-term political relationships.
The upcoming mayoral race is being closely watched as New York City witnesses an unusual landscape of candidates, with incumbents and former governors contending for the position. As the campaign unfolds, the dynamics among the candidates, particularly Sliwa’s growing recognition, could reshape the political playing field in the city leading up to the election.
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Additional Resources
- New York Post: Curtis Sliwa Meets NYC Business Leaders
- City & State NY: NYC Mayor 2025 Candidates Overview
- PIX11: Curtis Sliwa Wins Republican Primary for NYC Mayor
- Google Search: New York City mayoral race 2025
- Encyclopedia Britannica: New York City
