Overview
- Curtis Sliwa said he will not drop out “under no circumstances,” claiming he was offered money to quit and vowing to vote for himself on the first day of early voting.
- Leaders of the five New York City Republican county parties issued a joint statement giving Sliwa their “unequivocal support” and arguing Republican voters will not switch to Andrew Cuomo.
- Billionaire John Catsimatidis and other high-profile figures urged Sliwa to step aside, while Sliwa framed the push as an effort by wealthy donors to pick the mayor.
- Andrew Cuomo labeled Sliwa a spoiler and said he would be interested in offering him a job if he exited, a proposal Sliwa rejected.
- Opposition research highlighting Sliwa’s past controversies—including IRS records showing the Guardian Angels lost tax-exempt status in 2022—circulated as the final debate arrives Oct. 22 and early voting begins Oct. 25; recent Gotham/AARP polling shows Mamdani 44.6% to Cuomo 40.7% in a head-to-head scenario.