New York Mayoral Race Heats Up as Sliwa Vows to Stay in the Fight

Curtis Sliwa, the Republican candidate for New York City mayor, has firmly declared he will remain in the race despite growing calls for him to drop out amid strong competition from socialist candidate Zohran Mamdani. Sliwa emphasized his determination to compete against Mamdani and believes he is the sole candidate capable of defeating him.

The political landscape shifted after Mamdani unexpectedly defeated former Governor Andrew Cuomo in Tuesday’s Democratic primary. Now, both Sliwa and Queens Assemblyman Mamdani will face Mayor Eric Adams in the upcoming election. Sources indicate that Mayor Adams, who is running as an independent, is eyeing a rare opportunity to secure the Republican line on the ballot, which many believe could boost his chances.

Sliwa dismissed rumors that Adams is trying to oust him from the GOP race or secure a job in the Trump administration to pave the way for his candidacy, describing such claims as “laughable” and signs of Adams’ panic.

Meanwhile, insiders suggest Adams, who has been actively seeking the Republican nomination, faces significant hurdles due to New York election laws, which require him to gain support from a majority of GOP county chairs—something unlikely given current political dynamics. Despite these obstacles, Adams sees Mamdani’s victory as an opportunity to rekindle his own re-election prospects, positioning himself as the best candidate to block the socialist’s rise.

A GOP insider confirmed that efforts to replace Sliwa have largely failed, with many county chairs remaining loyal to him. Representatives for Adams have denied any negotiations involving a potential White House job for Sliwa, dismissing such rumors as baseless.