The race for Gracie Mansion has revealed a surprising fact about New York politics: vast swathes of our fellow Republicans have political Stockholm Syndrome. After years of living under one-party Democrat rule, City Republicans have forgotten that we too are capable of winning elections. Our duly-nominated candidate, Curtis Sliwa, is a man of unimpeachable integrity who, when he was shot by the Gambino Crime Family in 1992, was willing to lay his life down for our City. His grassroots activism dates back to at least 1979, when he founded the Guardian Angels; he spent the next 46 years of his life making New York safe, secure, and livable. As the race for Mayor comes down to the wire, Republicans must unify around the candidate we nominated as our champion.
While four years is a lifetime in politics, it has been only one “Joe Biden” since former governor Andrew Cuomo resigned in disgrace after credible allegations of sexual misconduct. While in office, Andrew Cuomo was the fairy godmother of bail reform: the elimination of cash bail for most criminals after arrest. In the years since bail was banned, violent crime rose by 36 percent and 66 percent of released criminals were re-arrested within two years. New York became violent and unsafe. Cuomo also passed a host of far-left policies into law: the “Excelsior Pass” vaccine IDs, mask mandates, red flag laws, recreational cannabis use, congestion pricing, and the legalization of third-trimester abortions.
Curtis Sliwa, on the other hand, has the highest favorability of any politician in the eyes of New York voters. He may be the only candidate in the country who can boast a favorability rating of +21 percent. Mamdani, in comparison, is nine points underwater. Cuomo is a staggering negative 37; New Yorkers detest him. Candidates have the right to demand the support of the party that nominated them. If Republicans coalesced around Sliwa, then he would be in a stronger position to win this election. Without the support of the party that nominated him, Sliwa is fighting with one hand tied behind his back for a City that desperately needs his courage and character.
The New York Young Republican Club calls on our fellow New York Republicans to stand with Curtis Sliwa as we enter the home stretch. If Republicans desire the respect of voters, we must first respect our own candidates. If we resign ourselves to electing the “least-worst” candidate, New York Republicans can assure themselves they will never win a city-wide election again. This Tuesday, November 4, the fate of New York City hangs in balance. Even if the unthinkable happens, the City may yet recover. But if the Republican Party wants to establish a name and reputation in New York politics, we must at least have the courage to support our own candidates. In 1992, Curtis Sliwa took a bullet for our City. Now, it’s our turn to send him to Gracie Mansion.
The NYYRC calls on all New York Republicans – and all New Yorkers – to vote for Curtis Sliwa on November 4.