The mother of an Afghanistan veteran who was brutally killed in New York City nearly a decade ago expressed her support for Curtis Sliwa in the mayoral race on Wednesday. This comes amid criticisms of Andrew Cuomo, who was instrumental in enacting the state’s so-called “crime-friendly” bail reform.
Madeline Brame, the mother of 35-year-old U.S. Army Sergeant Hasson Correa, stood beside Sliwa as she condemned both Cuomo, who is running as an independent, and Democratic frontrunner Zoran Mamdani. “Why would anyone in their right mind want to vote for Andrew Cuomo again?” she questioned.
Brame criticized Mamdani, saying he represents a continuation of failed progressive policies that, in her view, have significantly harmed New York City.
Correa was tragically stabbed to death on October 18, 2018, during an altercation outside his Harlem apartment. In 2022, serious charges against his attackers were lessened or dropped, a situation partially attributed to the bail reforms championed by Cuomo back in 2019.
“If you want cash bail to keep existing, then vote for Mamdani and Andrew Cuomo,” Sliwa declared, indicating that Brame intended to raise these issues during the upcoming mayoral debate on WNBC. “They’re like two peas in a pod,” he added about his opponents.
Brame lamented that the government authorities, including then-Mayor Bill de Blasio, ignored the needs of victims. She pointed out that Cuomo played a crucial role in the policies that affected her son’s case. Sliwa, founder of the vigilante group Guardian Angels, aligned with Brame’s sentiments, stating he stands for the victims impacted by crime in the city.
Cuomo has defended the controversial reforms he initiated, asserting they aimed to address inequities in the prison system. He plans to hire 5,000 additional NYPD officers, which he considers a key part of his public safety agenda. Meanwhile, Mamdani has committed to maintaining officer numbers and establishing a new agency to handle mental health and non-violent emergencies.
Neither Mamdani nor Cuomo’s representatives replied to requests for comments.
