Recent reports indicate that Rudy Giuliani’s associates are backing Andrew Cuomo instead of the Republican candidate, Curtis Sliwa. Joe Rota, who was Giuliani’s former vice mayor and ran for mayor in 2013 as a Republican, has made it clear that he supports Cuomo. Rota, who previously served as Cuomo’s MTA president before switching parties, shown a bit of hesitation about the current political landscape.
“This will come down to a choice between a seasoned manager, a socialist, or a fruit loop,” Rota told a news outlet, expressing his approval for Cuomo.
Anthony Carbonetti, Giuliani’s former chief of staff, echoed Rota’s thoughts. He acknowledged Sliwa as a commendable New Yorker, but mentioned that the numbers just don’t favor him in this race. He cautioned against a socialist running the city’s substantial budget, criticizing certain proposals as potentially harmful.
Also weighing in, former U.S. Attorney General Michael Mukasey, who was allied with Giuliani during the Bush administration, expressed his concerns about the risks of electing Zoran Mamdani and referred to Cuomo as “the most viable alternative.”
In a surprising twist, Mayor Eric Adams announced he won’t be seeking reelection, stirring the political scene further. Additionally, Donald Trump has publicly downplayed Sliwa’s chances.
Cuomo is set to face Mamdani, who identifies as a democratic socialist, in the upcoming election. Interestingly, Trump has commented on Sliwa, noting that although he’s a Republican, he doesn’t see Sliwa as a strong candidate.
Polling indicates Mamdani holds a significant lead—around 20 points—but with less than 50% support, there is still a chance for Cuomo to consolidate Republican and independent votes for an upset.
