Curtis Sliwa Refuses to Drop Out of New York City Mayor's Race Despite Pressure from Powerful Interests

Strategic Insights -

Curtis Sliwa, the Republican nominee for New York City mayor, is defying pressure from powerful interests to drop out of the race, with eight weeks left before the election. Despite being far behind in the polls, Sliwa insists that he has a path to victory and plans to focus on courting independents and driving up Republican turnout. With business leaders and advisers to President Trump trying to clear the field for a one-on-one matchup between Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani and former Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo, Sliwa's determination to stay in the race is seen as a key factor in the contest.

Key Takeaways:

  • Curtis Sliwa, the Republican nominee for New York City mayor, has refused to drop out of the race despite pressure from powerful interests.
  • Sliwa received the support of 15 percent of likely voters in a New York Times/Siena poll released on Tuesday.
  • Business leaders and advisers to President Trump are trying to clear the field for a one-on-one matchup between Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani and former Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo.
  • Sliwa plans to focus on courting independents and driving up Republican turnout in his bid for mayor.
  • Sliwa has said that he is not part of President Trump's MAGA movement and condemned the actions of the pro-Trump rioters who stormed the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.
  • John Catsimatidis, the billionaire Republican grocery and oil refining magnate, has said that Sliwa would most likely remain in the race for the long haul.
  • Sliwa has a challenging road ahead, with just 56 percent of likely Republican voters and 20 percent of likely independent voters saying they would vote for him.

Statistics:

  • Sliwa received the support of 15 percent of likely voters in a New York Times/Siena poll released on Tuesday.
  • 56 percent of likely Republican voters said they would vote for Sliwa.
  • 20 percent of likely independent voters said they would vote for Sliwa.
  • 52 percent of those polled had a favorable or somewhat favorable opinion of Mr. Mamdani.
  • 31 percent of those polled had a favorable or somewhat favorable opinion of Sliwa.
  • Sliwa has $3.4 million on hand for his campaign, which he plans to use to be competitive.
  • Sliwa has announced that he is spending $350,000 to place his first campaign ad of the race.

Sources:

  • "Curtis Sliwa, the Republican Nominee for New York City Mayor, Defies Pressure to Drop Out" by Nicholas Fandos and Sarah Maslin Nir, The New York Times
  • A New York Times/Siena poll released on Tuesday
  • An interview with Curtis Sliwa at The New York Times's headquarters on Tuesday
  • An interview with John Catsimatidis
  • An interview with Jim Walden, a lawyer who suspended his independent campaign for mayor
  • A statement by Nicholas Fandos, a contributor to The New York Times.