Curtis Sliwa’s Mayoral Run: A Missed Opportunity for Republicans

Curtis Sliwa ran for mayor. But honestly, if you look closely, it was pretty clear from the start that he wasn’t likely to win. I mean, I think we all knew that—even Sliwa himself.

The founder of the Guardian Angels was on the Republican ballot simply because, well, there weren’t any other takers. It seems no one really wants to step up; it’s kind of disheartening.

The lack of candidates turned out to be a significant mistake for the Republicans—a major miscalculation, really. In a three-way race that no one saw coming, they had a chance to reclaim City Hall, but it just didn’t pan out.

The Republicans seemed caught off guard. They’ve squandered an opportunity that comes around only once every couple of decades—a rather rare chance, I would say.

Four years back, after losing to the unexpected Eric Adams, the party made a lot of noise about finding a strong candidate for the 2025 election. There were grand hopes for a wealthy business leader or a crime-fighting pro—maybe even a turnaround expert. But despite plenty of ideas floating around, candidates were nowhere to be found, even with millions available from the city’s matching fund program.

A Populist Shift

It’s a real shame because the Republicans could, in theory, take the 5th District today—more than they did in past elections when mayors Giuliani and Bloomberg secured four out of five districts back in ’97 and ’05.

The Republican Party today has shifted toward a more populist approach compared to previous eras. It now resonates more with immigrant and working-class communities than it did under Reagan or Bush. This shift is evident in the diverse neighborhoods across the city.

We’re seeing Eastern Europeans, Asians, and Hispanics increasingly leaning Republican. Orthodox Jews are becoming more reliable voters for the party, while many secular Jews might struggle to trust the Democrats again after they selected a strongly anti-Israel candidate for mayor.

It’s like the long-standing structure of ethnic politics in New York is starting to crack.

The key for Republicans lies in winning about 32% of the vote in the city. Former Representative Lee Zeldin was aiming for that target in 2022 but fell a bit short. If he were to snag a few more points from the city, it might put him in a stronger position for re-election as governor.

Next year’s Republican candidates, be it U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik, Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, or some surprise contender, need to focus on a strategic approach for the 5th District. A comprehensive strategy that spans the five boroughs could be crucial, given that these areas contribute significantly to statewide votes.

In New York right now, the energy seems to be more on the far left. Groups like the Working Families Party and the Democratic Socialists of America are organized, smart, and well-supported, unlike the Republicans.

These left-leaning parties treat politics with year-round intensity.

For Republicans, it’s essential to harness their energy to challenge this leftward momentum and rethink how they engage with potential voters.

Ex-Governor George Pataki understood this principle well. His success across three terms stemmed from a continuous effort to bring in new supporters. Establishing high-visibility Republican offices in diverse neighborhoods could be a game changer, creating more visibility throughout areas like Flushing and Brighton Beach.

Collaborating at the County Level

It all starts at the county level, where Republican chairmen and committees across Kings, Queens, Richmond, New York, and Bronx are tasked with nurturing candidates. Selecting a mayoral candidate calls for agreement among three out of five committees.

Yes, these committees often operate like their own little kingdoms, which can complicate collaboration. Each borough has its unique vibe; Brooklyn is distinct from Manhattan, for instance, and eventually, everyone’s scrambling for their own interests.

But if the Republicans ever want to gain traction citywide in 2029 or even statewide in 2026, these leaders have to begin joining forces now. They should sync up with their state party to formulate strategies that tap into existing voting trends.

Resources should especially flow toward communities where there’s potential for growth: think Asian, Latino, and Jewish neighborhoods.

Engaging the Business Community

Republicans ought to enhance their outreach to New York City’s business sector. For decades, this space has been dominated by Democrats, but Zoran Mamdani’s radical, anti-business campaign seemed to shake things up.

If Republicans can seize on this, they could gain a significant win. Imagine consistently obtaining 32% of the city vote every four years—that could really shift the landscape in a major way.

It would help restore New York’s voice in presidential elections and potentially have repercussions for the upcoming U.S. Senate race that may feature an underdog Chuck Schumer in 2028.

In the past, New York had 47 electoral votes but now sits at 28. Regaining that influence could be transformative.

I really appreciate Curtis Sliwa for stepping up to run again, but this might be his last hurrah. There’s still room for the Republicans to make their mark, even if they missed the boat this time.