Donors Plot Against NYC Mayoral Candidate Curtis Sliwa

According to sources, some prominent donors are strategizing to remove Republican mayoral candidate Curtis Sliwa from the race in New York City. The intent is to create an opening for GOP nominations, which could potentially allow current Mayor Eric Adams to capture a significant portion of the vote.

As it stands, Adams is running for reelection as an independent candidate, flanked by left-wing Zohran Mamdani. Reports suggest that Adams, who recently secured a contract with the Trump administration, is contemplating a Republican run, though this hinges on a complicated series of events.

To clear a path for this plan, Sliwa would need to exit the state, paving the way for Vito Fossella, a key figure in Staten Island’s Republican leadership, to step in. Some sources feel that placing Sliwa in a significant role in Washington, D.C., could ensure his departure from the race. This approach doesn’t seem undemocratic, as Sliwa appears to be the sole contender in the Republican primary.

Sliwa, who previously ran as a Republican candidate in 2021, garnered 27.8% of the vote. Although that wasn’t enough to secure a win, a united front from his supporters in favor of Adams could, perhaps, help the current mayor maintain his position.

However, this all depends on whether President Trump is willing to make overtures towards Sliwa and if Sliwa is receptive to that. Hank Shenkopf, a veteran Democratic strategist opposed to Mamdani, speculated, “Curtis faces a choice: How much does he care for his city, as opposed to seeking office?”

Interestingly, Sliwa has changed his tune on Trump. While he voted for Trump in 2024, he once referred to him as “screwballs and crackpots” and even distanced himself from the Republican Party in 2020, choosing not to vote for Trump then.

The specifics of any potential role in Washington for Sliwa remain unclear, but my sources indicate he’s determined to stay in the race, even if it complicates things for Adams. There’s also the ongoing 30-year agreement Sliwa has with WABC radio, although its owner downplayed any potential conflicts.

Pro-business activists seem poised to coalesce around a candidate to challenge Mamdani, who is perceived as leaning too far left. Adams has gained traction among this group, especially as he seeks ways to counter Mamdani’s rising support.

This situation isn’t unprecedented; history shows that candidates have switched party allegiances to win elections—like Bloomberg, who left the crowded Democratic field back in 2001 to snag the Republican nomination. Adams has been vocal about his ties to the Republican establishment, even appearing on Fox & Friends to express concern about Mamdani’s primary prospects.

Sheinkopf expressed guarded optimism about Adams’ chances, noting that only two first-term mayors have been defeated in the last 55 years. “Adams can win by rallying the coalition that brought him to power last time: business leaders and job producers,” he concluded.