Cuomo Appeals to Republican Voters in Brooklyn

Former Governor Andrew Cuomo reached out to Republican voters in Brooklyn’s Russian-speaking community on Friday, cautioning them that backing Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa would inadvertently aid socialist Zoran Mamdani’s election campaign.

Cuomo campaigned in Brighton Beach alongside Republican Congresswoman Inna Vernikov, presenting himself as the most viable alternative to counter the Democratic frontrunner.

“There’s no way Curtis Sliwa can win. His only impact would be to help Zoran Mamdani get elected,” Cuomo remarked, recalling President Trump’s past dismissive comments about Sliwa’s chances in the November 4 election.

“Don’t buy into it. If you’re a Republican, trust what President Trump says,” he urged attendees at the Ocean View Cafe, a Ukrainian eatery on Brighton Beach Avenue.

“President Trump stated Curtis Sliwa isn’t ready for prime time,” Cuomo added.

During the event, Vernikov, a strong Republican supporter of Cuomo over his party’s candidates, noted the community primarily consists of families who fled the former Soviet Union.

“They’re escaping communism and socialism. Many are Jewish immigrants fleeing anti-Semitism,” she expressed. “We came to America seeking the American Dream, capitalism, and opportunities for our children.”

“Now, it seems the very things we’ve been trying to escape—communism, socialism, anti-Semitism—are resurfacing in New York City,” she added.

The local councilor had previously endorsed Sliwa but shifted her support to Cuomo after polls indicated he might successfully challenge Mamdani.

“Curtis Sliwa can’t be mayor because he hasn’t secured a win…Governor Andrew Cuomo is the one capable of defeating Mamdani,” she pointed out, citing current polls that display Cuomo leading Mamdani by 10 to 25 points, while Sliwa trails by 25 to 29 points.

The councilor, who faced legal issues in 2023 for firearm possession at a pro-Palestinian rally, labeled Mamdani a “communist and anti-Semite” to his audience.

Mamdani, who describes himself as a democratic socialist, held a press conference last week to label the remarks from his opponents as Islamophobic, a claim both Cuomo and Sliwa refuted.

Sliwa’s spokesperson, Daniel Kurzina, asserted that the collaboration between Vernikov and Cuomo to attract Republican voters “hasn’t made an impact whatsoever.”

“Curtis will amaze everyone,” he promised.

No response was received from Mamdani’s representatives regarding The Post’s request for comment.