In an unexpected public statement on Monday, billionaire businessman John Catsimatidis, CEO of WABC Radio and Red Apple Media, urged Republican mayoral candidate Curtis Sliwa to withdraw from the 2025 New York City mayoral race. Catsimatidis, a Republican and former mayoral candidate himself, voiced concerns over Sliwa’s potential to divide the vote and inadvertently pave the way for another candidate’s victory.
What Happened?
Catsimatidis, a major figure in New York’s media and business world, explained that he believed Sliwa’s continued candidacy could harm the Republican Party’s chances in the upcoming election. In a statement, Catsimatidis stressed the importance of consolidating Republican support behind a single, “viable alternative” to avoid splitting the vote. This move, he argued, was essential for ensuring that the city’s next mayor would be someone who could truly address the city’s challenges.
“It’s important for the good of New York City that we unite and not divide the vote,” Catsimatidis said. “We need to get behind a candidate who can win and lead, and unfortunately, Curtis Sliwa’s candidacy could create a potentially damaging split.”
Sliwa’s Defiant Response
Curtis Sliwa, the founder of the Guardian Angels and a longtime WABC Radio personality, quickly rejected Catsimatidis’ advice and firmly refused to drop out of the race. Sliwa, who has been a vocal critic of the city’s political establishment, countered Catsimatidis’ concerns by emphasizing his trust in the voters.
“The billionaires can conspire to pick their candidate, but I trust the people of New York. They will make the decision,” Sliwa told Fox News Digital. “I will not drop out.”
Currently on a leave of absence from WABC Radio, Sliwa remains steadfast in his pursuit of the mayoralty, undeterred by calls from within his own party to step aside. His candidacy continues to garner support from a base that values his outsider status and his advocacy for public safety and reform.
Democratic Candidate Zohran Mamdani’s Commentary
The ongoing dispute between Sliwa and Catsimatidis has caught the attention of the city’s political establishment, including the Democratic side of the race. Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic nominee for mayor, expressed amusement at the situation, noting that it highlighted an unusual area of agreement between himself and Sliwa.
“I never thought I would say this, but here we are, where the only candidates who agree that billionaires shouldn’t control the future of this city are the Republican nominee and the Democratic nominee,” Mamdani said, drawing attention to the influence of wealthy donors in both parties.
Mamdani, a Democratic socialist, further criticized former Governor Andrew Cuomo’s attempt to broker deals with billionaire donors to make a political comeback, contrasting this with Sliwa’s independent stance. “We know that New Yorkers, no matter what they think about our politics, want to make their own decisions, and that is one place where Curtis and I agree, which is that it’s time for New Yorkers to make this decision, not for billionaire donors to decide who gets to run this city.”
The Impact on New York’s Mayoral Race
As the mayoral race heats up, the public divide between Sliwa and Catsimatidis underscores the ongoing tensions within the Republican Party in New York. While Catsimatidis advocates for a more unified, establishment-backed candidate, Sliwa has carved out a niche as an outsider, positioning himself as a champion of the people against the political elite.
Mamdani’s comments also reveal the broader political dynamics at play, where the influence of money and power is a central theme, with both major party candidates vying for the trust of voters disillusioned with traditional political machinery.
Looking Ahead
The outcome of this internal GOP dispute and the fallout from Sliwa’s defiance will likely play a significant role in shaping the race for mayor. As the election approaches, both Sliwa and Mamdani will have to navigate their relationships with political donors, the city’s voters, and the media to position themselves as the legitimate candidates for New York’s top office.
This story will continue to unfold, and further updates on the mayoral race are expected as the campaigns ramp up.
The post Billionaire John Catsimatidis Urges Curtis Sliwa to Drop Out of NYC Mayoral Race, Sparking Tension in GOP first appeared on Trusted and Verified USA News.
