In the high-stakes race for New York City's mayoral seat, former Governor Andrew Cuomo has voiced his concerns about the potential impact of Republican nominee Curtis Sliwa's continued participation.
Cuomo, who is also vying for the position, has expressed his belief that Sliwa's presence in the race could jeopardize his chances of victory. This comes as Democratic nominee Zohran Mamdani holds a significant lead over both contenders.
According to a report by WABC, Cuomo made these remarks during a Friday morning appearance, a day after the first mayoral debate. He stated that Sliwa's continued presence in the race would make it "very, very hard, mathematically," for him to secure a win. Cuomo went on to label Sliwa as "unqualified" and a "spoiler," stating, "You vote for Curtis, save yourself the time, and vote for Mamdani. That's what this is."
Cuomo also criticized Sliwa's performance during the debate, suggesting that his presence served as a distraction, making it more challenging for him to target Mamdani. Sliwa, on the other hand, did not hold back in his criticism of Cuomo, bringing up the former governor's controversial decision to end cash bail and the sexual harassment allegations that led to his resignation.
Cuomo further suggested that Sliwa's candidacy was a strategic move by "party bosses" who wished to use Mamdani as a foil. "Yes, it's good Republican politics for Mamdani to win," Cuomo said. "It's death for New York City, so pick it."
Sliwa, who ran unopposed for the Republican nomination in 2021, responded to Cuomo's comments in an interview with The New York Times. He accused Cuomo of having a "defeatist attitude" and referred to him as a "curmudgeon." Sliwa also suggested that Cuomo's past controversies were haunting his campaign, stating, "He doesn't understand that all this baggage he carries into this race haunts him every step of the way."
Sliwa further called on Cuomo to withdraw from the race, saying, "Go hang out with your billionaires in the Hamptons. Leave the streets to me and battling the Zohranistas."
John Catsimatidis, who runs WABC where Sliwa hosts his own show, expressed disappointment in Sliwa's focus on attacking Cuomo rather than Mamdani. He questioned, "Why the hell are you attacking Cuomo versus attacking Mamdani, who is the real enemy?" Catsimatidis also suggested that Sliwa should consider his chances of winning, stating, "If he stays in, he's going to hurt New York City. If what he says is he loves New York City, then he should probably bow out."
This high-profile race continues to draw attention, with the candidates' strategies and performances under scrutiny. As the city awaits the outcome, the question remains: Will Sliwa heed the calls to step down, or will he continue to fight for the mayoral seat? The answer could significantly impact the future of New York City.
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