Curtis Sliwa Defies Calls to Withdraw from NYC Mayoral Race

UPDATE: In a dramatic turn of events, Curtis Sliwa, the Republican nominee for mayor of New York City, is standing firm against mounting pressure to withdraw from the race, despite calls from influential figures like businessman John Catsimatidis. This development comes just 15 days before Election Day on October 21, 2025.

Sliwa, who has been urged to step aside to prevent a split vote that could help Democratic candidate Zohran Mamdani win, is receiving backing from all five borough Republican Party chairmen. They released a statement today affirming their support, stating, “Curtis Sliwa is our candidate, the credible leader who will defeat the radical left and restore safety, affordability, and common sense to City Hall.”

Earlier, Catsimatidis, a prominent donor and owner of 77 WABC radio, publicly urged Sliwa to drop out, claiming, “Republicans cannot take a chance” on Mamdani’s potential victory. On a recent radio show, he emphasized, “It burns to write this, but: It’s time for Curtis Sliwa to face reality.”

However, Sliwa is undeterred. His spokesperson, Daniel Kurzyna, stated, “Curtis Sliwa stands firm and is not dropping out. Today’s news does not change anything.” Sliwa insists that the decision ultimately belongs to the voters, and he plans to cast his ballot during the first day of early voting on Saturday.

This ongoing conflict illustrates the high stakes of the upcoming election. Former Governor Andrew Cuomo, who is also in the race and trailing in polls, has dismissed Sliwa as a “spoiler” and suggested he lacks the viability to challenge Mamdani effectively. Cuomo argued, “You vote for Curtis, you might as well vote for Zohran Mamdani directly.”

Cuomo appears to be making a play for Republican voters, stating, “The only alternative is Zohran Mamdani. If this city becomes a Zohran Mamdani city, a socialist city, it’s going to be the death of the city as we know it.” He even hinted at potential job offers for Sliwa in a future administration, but Sliwa has consistently rebuffed such overtures.

As the election approaches, the pressure on Sliwa intensifies, but he continues to rally his supporters. In a recent video message, Sliwa called out the elites trying to push him out, saying, “They’re trying to silence YOU. The people who’ve had enough, the people who feel pushed out, unsafe, and ignored for years.”

With the mayoral race heating up and early voting set to commence, all eyes are on Sliwa as he navigates this turbulent political landscape. Will he remain steadfast, or will the pressure become too great? Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story.