The looming mayoral race presents New Yorkers with a stark choice: the contrasting visions of Andrew Cuomo and Zohran Mamdani. In this pivotal decision, Curtis Sliwa could play a crucial role by stepping aside, allowing the electorate to make a clear-cut decision. This noble action, though challenging, would demonstrate his commitment to the city’s future.
Sliwa’s campaign has been marked by his characteristic humor, as seen in last week’s debate. However, it may now be time for him to prioritize New York’s best interests, facilitating a straightforward choice between Mamdani’s progressive stance and Cuomo’s centrist policies.
Since Mayor Adams exited the race, this perspective has gained traction and now includes the influential John Catsimatidis. As a major Republican figure and owner of WABC radio, where Sliwa’s voice has resonated for years, Catsimatidis has also urged Sliwa to consider the greater good.
Speaking on his own station, Catsimatidis expressed his belief in Sliwa’s capabilities, stating, “Curtis would make the best mayor of all the candidates.” However, he emphasized the importance of prioritizing the city’s well-being, suggesting, “Curtis should pull out right now. We cannot take a chance on Zohran winning, and every sensible New Yorker knows it.” Radio personality Sid Rosenberg echoed this sentiment.
Supporting this view, a recent AARP poll highlights a tight race, with Mamdani slightly leading Cuomo at 44.6% to 40.7%. The significant portion of undecided voters, particularly seniors, underscores the potential for a dynamic competition as the final debate approaches and early voting commences.
While Sliwa has enjoyed his campaign trail antics in this second mayoral bid, history shows his previous defeat. With little at stake for him personally, he might consider bowing out gracefully, focusing instead on the broader electoral outcome.
He enjoyed the first debate, in which the moderators too often cut off the candidates, trashing both Cuomo and Mamdani as peas in a pod, Cuomo the “architect” and Mamdani the “apprentice.” While that’s clever rhetoric, it is not true. Cuomo and Mamdani are vastly different in experience and outlook. Everyone knows that, including both Cuomo and Mamdani.
Catsimatidis has his own experience with this. After he lost the Republican primary to Joe Lhota in 2013, he could have continued in the general election against Democrat Bill de Blasio on an independent ballot line. But Catsimatidis did the honorable thing and withdrew to clear the field. By the way, Lhota is now backing Cuomo.
This is not the same as the calls for Joe Biden to step aside last year, because that was to replace him on the ballot. This is to give millions of New Yorkers an unfiltered choice to elect the next mayor.
Cuomo wants that chance. Mamdani does not, and he wants Sliwa to remain. Brooklyn Councilman Chi Ossé, a DSA member and Mamdani ally, is also urging that Sliwa hold fast: “DO NOT let these billionaires and establishment ‘DEMOCRATS’ force you to drop out of this race. YOU still have a shot. NEVER BACK DOWN.” Have a shot at what? Losing badly in third place and throwing the race to Mamdani?
Mamdani and Ossé want Sliwa to stay in, but his pals Catsimatidis and Rosenberg want him to withdraw. So who does he listen to?
The bottom line is that after nearly a half century in the limelight with the Guardian Angels, everyone has always called him Curtis, but no one will ever call him mayor. Curtis, do what must be done and listen to what your friend John says: “I think Curtis would be a hero if we beat Zohran.”
