GOP candidate Curtis Sliwa boldly acknowledged Tuesday there’s a “actual chance” he may very well be New York Metropolis’s subsequent mayor – insisting incumbent Eric Adams’ unbiased run and simmering anger within the outer-boroughs might result in his stunning victory.
The Guardian Angels founder is betting on a fragmented basic election – that might function as many as 4 viable candidates – and frustration from voters over migrant shelters, unaffordability, crime and radically altering neighborhoods by way of the Metropolis of Sure housing initiative.
“I do know Republicans are going to assist me so I will be the following mayor of the Metropolis of New York,” Sliwa, 71, informed The Publish throughout an editorial board assembly.
“Eric Adams going to the unbiased route has made that an actual chance and we’re working exhausting.”
Adams introduced final week he was forgoing the Democratic main in late June and as an alternative run for reelection by way of a longshot unbiased bid after his legal case was outright dismissed.
Sliwa, who wore his trademark purple beret together with a pressed swimsuit through the assembly with The Publish, mentioned the event might result in not less than 4 candidates competing within the basic election — himself, the winner of the Democratic main, a Working Households Celebration choose and Adams.
Former Gov. Andrew Cuomo has a stark lead within the polls forward of the first whereas lefty Queens Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani has been in second, however might snag the WFP line if he loses in June.
Sliwa, the diehard cat lover who unsuccessfully ran for mayor in 2021, believes he has the chance to scoop up average Democrats and unbiased voters, together with a GOP base, outdoors of Manhattan.
He has been a vocal opponent of migrant shelters throughout the town and sounded the alarm over crime charges in Gotham. A part of his public security platform contains including 7,000 extra cops whereas sharply criticizing progressive insurance policies tied to the legal justice system — much like Adams.
Sliwa mentioned he’s spoken to many fed-up locals who’re prepared to go away the town partly due to Adams’ sweeping Metropolis of Sure undertaking, which might overhaul zoning rules to create tens of hundreds of latest houses.
“I do know I talked to those teams daily … They received one foot out the door,” he mentioned.
Sliwa is the recognizable face of the Guardian Angels volunteer crime prevention clan that’s usually seen patrolling subways.
Regardless of the longtime neighborhood activist’s optimism, the candidate has anemic fundraising numbers and is operating in a metropolis the place Democrats vastly outnumber Republicans.
Director of Marist College Institute for Public Opinion Lee Miringoff supplied a actuality verify to Sliwa even when it’s a multi-candidate race.
“It’s believable however lots of issues must break his means,” Miringoff informed The Publish. “There’s a state of affairs however it’s an extended shot.”
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