NYC GOP mayoral nominee floats new nickname for Cuomo, Adams while urging Trump to stay 'neutral' in race
Context:
Curtis Sliwa, the Republican nominee for New York City's mayoral race, aims to defeat Democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani, who has gained significant traction after winning the Democratic nomination. Mamdani's victory has been notable in a field that included former Governor Andrew Cuomo, who is now running as an independent, along with current Mayor Eric Adams, also an independent candidate. Sliwa, a well-known figure as the co-founder of the Guardian Angels, is seeking to leverage his Republican values in a city that typically favors Democratic candidates. Despite pressure to consolidate opposition to Mamdani, Sliwa refuses to drop out and urges President Trump to remain neutral. The race is further complicated by the involvement of a third independent candidate, Jim Walden, who proposed a survey to determine the strongest candidate against Mamdani, a suggestion not fully embraced by all candidates involved.
Dive Deeper:
Curtis Sliwa is campaigning as the Republican candidate in the New York City mayoral race, focusing on defeating the Democratic socialist nominee Zohran Mamdani, who won the Democratic primary against Andrew Cuomo and other candidates.
Zohran Mamdani's nomination has created significant political waves as he aims to become the first Muslim and millennial mayor of New York City, with current polls showing him leading by double digits.
Former Governor Andrew Cuomo and Mayor Eric Adams, both running as independents, are seen by Sliwa as 'Zohran light,' suggesting they share more similarities than differences with Mamdani on various issues.
Jim Walden, another independent candidate and former federal prosecutor, proposed a survey to identify the strongest opponent to Mamdani, suggesting others withdraw, but this idea has not gained full traction among all candidates.
Sliwa, known for his work with the Guardian Angels and his media presence, is campaigning for the second time for the mayor's office and has called on President Trump to remain neutral in the race to avoid influencing the outcome.
The race is further charged by allegations of political maneuvering, including a dismissed federal corruption case against Adams and speculative communications between Trump and Cuomo, though Sliwa remains focused on his campaign.
Sliwa continues to campaign publicly, balancing his recognizable image with strategic shifts to appeal to different voter bases, emphasizing his commitment to public service in honor of fallen Guardian Angels.