Billionaire grocery and radio mogul John Catsimatidis, one of New York City’s wealthiest individuals, is urging Republican mayoral candidate Curtis Sliwa to withdraw from the race in an effort to thwart Democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani’s potential victory. This call to action comes in response to a recent AARP poll indicating that if Sliwa were to step aside, former Governor Andrew Cuomo would be in a stronger position to compete against Mamdani.
“Curtis should pull out right now,” stated Catsimatidis. “We cannot take a chance on Zohran winning.” The poll shows Mamdani leading Cuomo by 14 points; however, without Sliwa in the running, Mamdani’s support drops to 44.6% against Cuomo’s 40.7%, which is within the poll’s margin of error.
Catsimatidis continued to express his belief that Sliwa should prioritize the city’s interests over personal political aspirations. “People will be proud of him, that he did the right thing for New York City,” he emphasized.
Political analyst J.C. Polanco from the University of Mount Saint Vincent noted the uncertainty surrounding potential voter shifts from Sliwa to Cuomo, but asserted that Sliwa’s exit could bolster Cuomo’s chances. He posited that an endorsement from Sliwa to Cuomo might mobilize a segment of Sliwa’s supporters to view Cuomo as a necessary alternative to Mamdani’s vision for the city.
However, Sliwa remains steadfast, firmly asserting his commitment to the campaign: “I’m not dropping out. I have support. I have 11 headquarters. I have volunteers everywhere, signs galore. I don’t see any Cuomo signs,” he remarked, underscoring his robust voter mobilization efforts.
Cuomo, in turn, dismissed Sliwa’s candidacy as unfeasible, labeling him a “shock jock” during a recent interview. He expressed confidence that Sliwa’s voter base would dwindle as the election approaches, stating, “People don’t waste their vote in an election like this.”
Mamdani criticized Cuomo’s focus on urging Sliwa to withdraw, suggesting it reflects a lack of a substantive platform. As the candidates enter the final stretch before the election, there is heightened urgency to convey their messages to voters. A debate is scheduled for Wednesday, just days before early voting begins on Saturday, with Election Day looming two weeks away.
This election cycle has sparked significant public discourse, underscoring the critical choices facing New Yorkers. As candidates make their final appeals, the outcome remains uncertain yet crucial for the city’s future direction.