John Catsimatidis, a prominent billionaire and radio executive in New York City, has urged Republican Curtis Sliwa to withdraw from the mayoral race. His motivation stems from a recent AARP poll indicating that Democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani and former Governor Andrew Cuomo are closely contending for the lead. Catsimatidis is concerned that Sliwa’s continued candidacy may hinder the GOP’s chance of defeating Mamdani.
Poll Results Spark Controversy
The AARP poll, released on Monday, showed Mamdani leading Cuomo by 14 points when Sliwa is in the race. However, if Sliwa were to exit, the poll suggests Mamdani would receive 44.6% of the vote compared to Cuomo’s 40.7%, effectively within the poll’s 4-point margin of error.
Catsimatidis’ Advice to Sliwa
Catsimatidis expressed that pulling out would be a patriotic decision for Sliwa. He believes this move would be seen positively by New Yorkers and could strengthen the conservative bid against Mamdani.
- Catsimatidis’ Quote: “Curtis should pull out right now. We cannot take a chance on Zohran winning.”
- Mamdani’s Standing: Holds 44.6% when running against Cuomo alone.
- Cuomo’s Position: 40.7% in the same scenario.
Sliwa’s Firm Stance
Despite the pressure, Sliwa maintains he will not withdraw. He cited having strong community support, with multiple campaign headquarters and an active volunteer base working on a get-out-the-vote initiative.
Cuomo’s Remarks on Sliwa
Cuomo has openly disparaged Sliwa’s campaign style, labelling him a “shock jock” and predicting that Sliwa’s support will dwindle as the election nears. He criticized Sliwa’s viability as a candidate, suggesting that voters are unlikely to waste their votes.
Upcoming Election Preparation
As the general election approaches, tensions are high among the candidates. Both Sliwa and Cuomo are preparing for another debate before early voting begins. Election Day is set for two weeks from Tuesday, leaving candidates with limited time to make their case to the electorate.
Mamdani has pointed out that Cuomo should focus on outlining his agenda rather than pressuring other candidates to step aside. With the election drawing near, the political landscape remains dynamic as each candidate seeks to solidify their position.
