Former Governor Andrew Cuomo recently called on Republicans to abandon the “spoiler” candidate Curtis Sliwa and instead support him in the mayoral race. He argued that voting for Sliwa would essentially be a vote for his opponent, Zoran Mamdani, whom he labeled as extreme.
On WABC 770 AM’s “Cats Roundtable,” Cuomo stated, “The issue is that Curtis Sliwa is a spoiler in this election. A vote for him is a vote for Mamdani.” He emphasized that Sliwa simply can’t win, noting that around 70% of voters are Democrats, and polls show him trailing significantly.
Cuomo criticized Sliwa’s candidacy, suggesting that he only serves to help Mamdani’s chances. “All he can do is get enough votes to make Zoran mayor,” Cuomo said. He urged Republicans to “vote like a New Yorker,” implying they should prioritize the city’s needs over party lines.
His appeal comes just days ahead of early voting, which starts on Saturday for Election Day on November 4. The second and final mayoral debate is scheduled for Wednesday evening on NY1.
Cuomo is currently in second place in the polls, behind Mamdani, who previously defeated him in the Democratic primary by a large margin. Now, Cuomo is running as an independent under a “fight and get results” party line.
A recent Quinnipiac University poll indicated some shifts in voter support towards Cuomo after Mayor Eric Adams decided against seeking reelection, but Mamdani still maintains a 13-point lead.
Cuomo expressed his appreciation for Adams’s decision, recognizing it as a selfless act that might improve his own chances. However, he criticized Sliwa, claiming he should be censured for complicating the race and possibly facilitating Mamdani’s path to victory.
As he courts Republican voters, Cuomo referenced former New York Mayor Fiorello LaGuardia, highlighting the need for effective city management regardless of party affiliation. “Republicans want the city to run smoothly, and I can provide that,” he said.
In response, Sliwa accused Cuomo of acting selfishly by running as an independent after losing the Democratic primary. He suggested that if Mamdani secures victory, the blame would lie with both Cuomo and the Democratic establishment. “Now he’s saying, ‘We can’t win without Sliwa’s vote.’ Where did your vote go?” Sliwa remarked on Saturday’s Nate Friedman show.
Sliwa further asserted that Mamdani’s rise reflected the Democratic Party’s internal issues, questioning why he should assist a party he sees as failing. “Andrew Cuomo has failed everyone in society,” he declared. “Go out and vote for yourself,” he concluded.
