Early voting is now open in New York City. The New York Young Republican Club calls on all registered Republicans and conservatives to vote in the general elections in the races below. This voter guide summarizes our endorsements, highlights Club members running in competitive races, and outlines our thoughts on the future of New York City after November 4.
Citywide Races
The New York Young Republican Club endorses Curtis Sliwa as the only candidate in this race with the right combination of moral character and proven dedication to our City to be the next Mayor of New York. Sliwa’s personal and professional dedication to New York City is known to all, and in recent months, he campaigned side-by-side with our members to elect Republicans from Bay Ridge to Staten Island. Sliwa’s grassroots leadership in New York City dates back to at least 1979, when he founded the Guardian Angels to fight crime, and 46 years later, he has once again taken the initiative to defeat a radical left-wing opponent.
The New York Young Republican Club endorses Gonzalo Duran for Public Advocate. As a battle-tested Marine, a devoted community leader, and a relentless fighter against the entrenched Democratic political machine, Mr. Duran is a bold and principled alternative to the status quo. Born and raised in the Bronx, his work speaks for itself — in politics, in advocacy, and in service. As a United States Marine Sergeant, he served this nation with honor. As CEO of Devil Dog USA Incorporated, Mr. Duran empowered veterans and mentored at-risk youth with compassion and resolve. As a chaplain and community leader, he has guided with heart and humility. An advocate for the little man throughout his life, Mr. Duran is the right man for New York City’s next Public Advocate.
Vote for Gonzalo Duran for Public Advocate.
Ballot Propositions
The New York Young Republican Club recommends voting NO on all six ballot propositions. Ballot Prop. 1, to retroactively authorize Mount Van Hoevenberg Olympic Sports Complex, sounds innocuous but would needlessly cost taxpayers millions of dollars. Ballot Props. 2-4 would increase the Mayor’s power over low-income housing and would prevent local councilmembers from rejecting high-risk projects harmful to their districts. These propositions are opposed by Republicans and Democrats alike. Ballot Prop. 5 would take power away from the Borough Presidents’ offices and hand it to a committee controlled by the Mayor. Ballot Prop. 6, to move local elections to national election cycle years, would increase left-wing voter turnout in local elections, damaging the chances Republican candidates have to obtain elected office. New Yorkers who want Republicans to win elections should ensure they reject Prop. 6.
Vote “NO” on all six ballot propositions.
Brooklyn
In Council District 47, the New York Young Republican Club endorses George Sarantopoulos for City Council. A lifelong New Yorker and proud Bay Ridge resident, Mr. Sarantopoulos brings his unmatched real-world experience to the fight for our city — experience forged over decades in business, public service, and grassroots leadership. Previously, Mr. Sarantopoulos served as Communications Director at the New York State Assembly and led local and state campaigns to restore common sense to government. Unlike many career politicians, Mr. Sarantopoulos knows firsthand the stakes of City Council decisions for working families and small business owners. His opponent, Kayla Santosuosso, is a former DSA-affiliated activist whose close relationship with Zohran Mamdani dates back to at least 2017.
Vote for community leader George Sarantopoulos.
In Council District 48, the New York Young Republican Club endorses Club member and Councilwoman Inna Vernikov for reelection. From Brighton Beach to Midwood, Councilwoman Vernikov has fearlessly defended her constituents against rising antisemitism and the consequences of leftist soft-on-crime policies that endanger New Yorkers. She is a vocal backer of President Donald J. Trump’s immigration policies and, as a former immigration attorney herself, has seen firsthand just how broken our immigration system is. Councilwoman Vernikov was endorsed by Donald Trump Jr., Elise Stefanik, Mike Lawler, Nicole Malliotakis, and other top New York Republicans.
Vote to reelect Councilwoman Inna Vernikov.
Manhattan
The New York Young Republican Club endorses Maud Maron for District Attorney of Manhattan. Maud Maron is a fighter who is willing to stand up to the insanity that Alvin Bragg has brought to the streets of New York. She recognizes that failed leftist policies have led to a city that allows innocent people to be burned alive on the subway whilst heroes, such as Daniel Penny, are brought before a court of law. Counselor Maron will bring the necessary changes to our suffering city and is our only hope to restore law and order to New York.
Vote for Counselor Maud Maron for District Attorney of Manhattan.
Queens
In Council District 25, the New York Young Republican Club is proud to endorse Ramses Frias for City Council. The people of Woodside, Jackson Heights, and Elmhurst face challenges such as unsafe streets, illegal vending, affordability issues, prostitution, and a sharp decline in quality of life. Ramses is the founder of Citizens United, a community-based group dedicated to elevating the quality of life for NYC residents. He is also a member of the Let’s Improve Roosevelt Avenue bipartisan coalition and has helped hundreds of families access community healthcare resources. His grassroots activism has earned him regular appearances in national media outlets, where he discusses issues affecting the streets of Queens. As an Elmhurst father, community leader, common-sense advocate, and club member, Ramses Frias is the everyday man we need to represent Queens in the City Council.
Vote for Ramses Frias for City Council.
In Council District 26, the New York Young Republican Club is proud to endorse John Healy for City Council. Just when you thought the fight to combat radical left-wing influence in NYC was stopping, here comes John Healy. Healy is stepping up to represent Western Queens, also known as “DSA” (Democratic Socialists of America) territory. District 26, which covers Long Island City, Woodside, Sunnyside, and Astoria, struggles with overdevelopment, congestion, crime, inaccessible parking, and reduced quality of life. Queens deserves a candidate who will advocate for safer and cleaner streets, improved quality of life, and preservation of the character of our communities.
Vote for John Healy for City Council.
Staten Island
In Council District 49, the New York Young Republican Club endorses John Shea for City Council. Unlike others in the political field, John Shea is not a career do-nothing politician. As a former NYPD officer and FDNY firefighter of more than two decades, John knows that New Yorkers risk their lives every single day and that public safety and crime are the highest concern. Unlike Zohran Mamdani and other Democrats in the city, John pledges to work with law enforcement officials throughout Staten Island to make sure that violent offenders stay off the streets and law-abiding citizens are able to enjoy peace and prosperity.
Vote for John Shea for City Council.
In Council District 50, the New York Young Republican Club endorses Councilman David Carr for reelection. A native, lifelong resident of Grasmere, Staten Island, Councilman Carr has an encyclopedic knowledge of the Council, the City, and its challenges. His passion for government and public service began from an early age; before being elected to the City Council, he served as a campaign field coordinator, deputy political director, campaign manager, and a constituent services representative for the U.S. House of Representatives. Beyond his great mind for policy, but what truly sets Councilman Carr apart is his all-too-rare quality of character. Carr leads with small-d democratic instincts, including and empowering the best skills and talents of the other members who make up the Republican Minority Conference.
Vote to reelect Councilman David Carr.
In Council District 51, the New York Young Republican Club is proud to endorse member and Councilman Frank Morano for reelection. Six months ago, with the help of our Club, Councilman Morano won the April 29 special election to succeed the great Joe Borelli. Since then, he has been hard at work fighting for his district on the City Council. Councilman Morano boasts endorsement from more than two dozen local organizations, including the Police Benevolent Association, the Uniformed Firefighters Association, and the Staten Island Republican Party. He recognizes that the Republican Party of the future is one that is focused on reform, populism, and common sense. We urge all South Shore Staten Islanders from Tottenville to New Springville to vote to reelect Frank Morano. A vote for him is a vote to Make New York Great Again!
Vote to reelect Councilman Frank Morano.
Across Staten Island, the New York Young Republican Club endorses Judge Remy Smith for Richmond County Civil Court Judge in the First Municipal District. A graduate of Brooklyn Law School, Judge Smith became a court attorney in 2011, under Supreme Court Justice Marina Mundy, and then went on to honorably serve on the New York Housing Court in 2018. For her impeccable service, she was re-appointed in 2023 and has continued to work in both the Brooklyn and Staten Island housing courts. Her judicial knowledge, common sense, and experience puts her leagues ahead of anyone who could dare to try to challenge her campaign.
Vote for Judge Remy Smith for Richmond County Civil Court Judge.
Smithtown
In Smithtown, the New York Young Republican Club is proud to endorse member Edward Wehrheim for Town Supervisor. Born and raised in Smithtown, Supervisor Wehrheim exemplifies public service to his nation and community. A veteran of two tours in Vietnam, the lessons he learned during his time in uniform shaped his lifelong dedication to our country. For nearly half a century, he has held a variety of roles which included being a Town Councilman member from 2003 to 2017, Director of Parks, and Smithtown Town Supervisor since 2017. He is committed to a “Smithtown First” approach to protect the town he loves and the New York Young Republican Club proudly stands behind him.
Vote to reelect Supervisor Edward Wehrheim in Smithtown.
Westchester
In Westchester, the New York Young Republican Club is proud to endorse candidate James Nolan for District 15 of the County Board of Legislators. A lifelong resident of both Westchester County and the city of Yonkers, Legislator Nolan embodies the American can-do attitude. As as the Minority Whip in the Board of Legislators, Nolan does the hard work needed to ensure that Westchester County continues to thrive. He serves on four committees has been instrumental in passing legislation that has improved the lives of Westchester County residents, including over $7 million dollars of new funding for Law Enforcement officials. Legislator Nolan is a proven champion of the people of Yonkers who is willing to fight to make Westchester County a beautiful and safe place to live.
Vote to reelect James Nolan for the Westchester County Board of Legislators.
Message from the Club
In this November 4 general election, the City of New York stands on the edge of a precipice. A radical Marxist candidate, Zohran Mamdani, may well become the next Mayor of New York City. It is imperative that every New Yorker votes, but this is not enough; the time to save New York is now. After you vote, call your family, friends, and colleagues and encourage them to cast their ballots. Share this voter guide with them as a reference and make sure that every patriotic conservative in our City casts their ballot.
The New York Young Republican Club endorses Curtis Sliwa as the only candidate in this race with the right combination of moral character and proven dedication to our City to be the next Mayor of New York. The vast majority of our membership will be voting for him and many NYYRC members have dedicated themselves tirelessly to his campaign. Sliwa’s leadership in local politics dates back to at least 1979, when he founded the Guardian Angels to protect New Yorkers from rising crime. In 1992, Sliwa took a bullet for his city when John Gotti of the Gambino Crime Family found his work “inconvenient.”
Sliwa’s personal and professional dedication to New York City is known to all. More than any other Republican still in active New York politics, his name is synonymous with fighting crime. In contrast, Zohran Mamdani would cut funding from the NYPD, eliminate qualified immunity for police officers, and spark an exodus among the hard-working police officers of our City. Mamdani represents the worst that the Democratic Party has to offer and, if elected, the far-left City Council would offer no resistance to his agenda. Mamdani must be stopped, and Sliwa is the alternative to his campaign.
In future election cycles, the Republican Party must ensure that primaries are held in every city-wide and local election, a task which falls to the respective county chairs. We are encouraged by the leadership of Michael Tannousis in Staten Island and the recent election of Liam McCabe as Kings County GOP Chair. The race for 2029 must begin now. The New York Young Republican Club has been at the forefront of the fight for New York and, in the years to come, we will be everywhere and anywhere until a viable and visionary alternative is built out in this 400-year-old City. This is what all New Yorkers past, present, and future deserve.