Curtis Sliwa Stays in NYC Mayor Race Despite Challenges

With just two days remaining until Election Day, Curtis Sliwa has reaffirmed his commitment to remain a contender in the New York City mayoral race. Despite polling in third place and facing calls to withdraw, the Republican nominee articulated his vision for the city during an appearance on CBS News New York’s “The Point with Marcia Kramer” on October 29, 2023.

Sliwa, who has never held elected office, argued that his outsider status is an asset. He criticized professional politicians, highlighting their perceived failures and urging voters to consider his approach to managing the city’s substantial budget of approximately $100 billion. “Thank god I’m not a professional politician,” he stated. He referenced the legacies of former Mayor Bill de Blasio and Governor Andrew Cuomo, who resigned following impeachment proceedings, to underscore his point.

The candidate expressed confidence in his ability to lead, saying, “I will have men and women who are experts in the field… they will give me the guidance to make the right decision.” Sliwa, who lost to Eric Adams in the previous mayoral election, believes that he remains the best candidate for the job. “I’m the only genuine New Yorker,” he emphasized. “I’ve served the people for 46 years and I’ve asked nothing in return.”

Sliwa’s campaign has faced pushback from notable figures, including billionaire John Catsimatidis, who cautioned that his participation could split the moderate-to-conservative voter base. “The people are going to choose the next mayor, not the billionaires, not the insiders and not the influencers,” Sliwa countered, asserting that traditional power brokers have failed to address the city’s needs.

One of Sliwa’s prominent campaign promises includes the recruitment of 7,000 new NYPD officers. In contrast, Cuomo aims to add 5,000 officers, while Mamdani has committed to maintaining the current staffing levels. Sliwa challenged the viability of Mamdani’s approach, questioning, “What’s the chance that people are going to want to join the police department with Zohran Mamdani in charge as mayor?”

Sliwa emphasized the importance of ensuring that police officers are afforded qualified immunity, stating, “If the police are not ensured with qualified immunity, they’re not gonna be joining. They need to be protected like all other civil servants.” In a show of support for Cuomo, current Mayor Adams announced on October 27, 2023, a funding initiative of over $300 million aimed at hiring 5,000 new officers by 2028.

As Sliwa makes his final appeal to voters, the outcome of this election will ultimately hinge on public sentiment regarding his outsider perspective versus the established political figures in the race.