Lawler Backs Cuomo for Mayor, Critiques Mamdani
Republican Rep. Mike Lawler has thrown his support behind Andrew Cuomo as the mayoral candidate, suggesting that the former Democratic governor stands a better chance against Zoran Mamdani than Republican Curtis Sliwa does.
“When you look at the matchup between Zoran Mamdani and Andrew Cuomo, it’s really not a contest,” Lawler remarked during a Wednesday morning appearance on 77 WABC’s “Sid & Friends.”
Representing the 17th Ward, which is located just north of New York City, Lawler has been vocal in his criticism of nursing homes’ management during the COVID-19 pandemic.
In his candid remarks, he referred to Cuomo as a “lying son of a b****” concerning the controversial March 2020 directive that required nursing homes to accept coronavirus patients discharged from hospitals. However, he characterized Mamdani, the socialist Democratic candidate, as too risky to lead City Hall, labeling Cuomo as “the lesser of two evils.”
“I think this is perhaps the smartest choice I’ve encountered in a mayoral election, and that’s quite a statement,” Lawler told host Sid Rosenberg.
Mamdani has made headlines for advocating for police defunding, decriminalizing prostitution, criticizing Israel, and using “anti-Semitic metaphors,” according to Lawler. The Republican expressed concern over Mamdani’s proposed multibillion-dollar tax hike, deeming it reckless and disqualifying.
Lawler found Mamdani’s recent press conference, which emphasized Islamophobia rather than honoring the victims of the September 11 attacks, “disgusting.”
He pointed out that Sliwa’s support appears to hover in the mid-teens, indicating that the Republican candidate might only dilute the anti-Mamdani vote alongside Cuomo, which could pave the way for Mamdani’s success.
“Ultimately, this isn’t just about party affiliation,” Lawler emphasized, noting that current events in New York City have significant consequences for its residents.
“New Yorkers face a choice: elect a Marxist, socialist mayor who disregards Jewish issues and manipulates the memory of 9/11, or seek an alternative,” he added.
Additionally, he criticized Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul for endorsing Mamdani, calling her “stupid as a box of rocks.”
Lawler’s district has a substantial number of police officers, firefighters, and financial workers, along with many Orthodox Jews who are wary of Mamdani’s views on Israel.
His surprising comments come just hours after Brooklyn Republican City Councilwoman Inna Vernikov switched her support from Sliwa to Cuomo. Her 48th District includes areas with strong Jewish communities resistant to Mamdani, such as Gravesend, Coney Island, and Brighton Beach.
