Curtis Sliwa, the Republican nominee for New York City mayor, has firmly dismissed demands to withdraw from the race, stating he will not drop out under any circumstances. His defiance comes amid growing pressure from influential figures who argue that his continued candidacy could split the vote and help Democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani win.
Sliwa made his stance clear during a press conference outside a Manhattan subway station on Tuesday, October 21, 2025. He declared, “I am not dropping out. Under no circumstance,” and revealed that he had been offered money to withdraw but refused. He also mentioned receiving threats, necessitating armed security for the first time in his life, with former NYPD officers now accompanying him. A commuter even yelled “Drop out already!” during the event, highlighting the public tension surrounding his decision.
The calls for Sliwa to exit the race have intensified from various quarters, including billionaires and media outlets. John Catsimatidis, CEO of WABC Radio and Red Apple Media, publicly urged Sliwa to drop out, warning that a divided vote could lead to Mamdani’s victory and harm the city’s business community. The New York Post editorial board described Sliwa as having “zero chance of winning” and pleaded with him to withdraw for the city’s sake, while investor Bill Ackman echoed these sentiments, suggesting that Sliwa’s departure would give independent candidate Andrew Cuomo a better shot at defeating Mamdani.
In response, Sliwa criticized the interference from wealthy elites, asserting that “the billionaires can conspire to pick their candidate… I trust the people.” He accused Cuomo of relying on Sliwa’s withdrawal rather than campaigning vigorously and labeled both Cuomo and Mamdani as Democrats who have contributed to the city’s decline. Sliwa specifically blamed Cuomo for policies like defunding the police, closing Rikers Island, and implementing no-cash bail laws, which he claims have created a “socialist nightmare” and plunged New York into chaos.
The three-way race pits Sliwa against Mamdani, a democratic socialist, and Cuomo, the former governor running as an independent. Cuomo has argued that Sliwa has no chance of winning and is merely a spoiler, potentially handing the election to Mamdani. Polls consistently show Sliwa in third place, with Cuomo and Mamdani competing for the lead, adding urgency as early voting is set to begin shortly. Cuomo reiterated on radio that Sliwa lacks the background, credibility, or qualifications to win, framing the race as a choice between consolidating support or risking a Mamdani victory.
Mamdani, meanwhile, has expressed amusement at the drama, noting the irony that he and Sliwa agree on opposing billionaire influence in the election. He advised Sliwa to continue making his own case to voters rather than being swayed by external pressure and criticized Cuomo for focusing on urging Sliwa to drop out instead of presenting his own platform. Mamdani emphasized that he is focused on his campaign, which includes proposals to tax top earners to fund social programs, contrasting with Sliwa’s law-and-order message and Cuomo’s centrist appeals.
The standoff highlights the high stakes in the NYC mayor race, with concerns about public safety, economic policies, and the city’s future direction. Sliwa’s refusal to drop out ensures a contentious final stretch before the election, with voters facing a clear choice between competing visions. The outcome could significantly impact issues like crime, inequality, and governance, depending on whether anti-Mamdani voters unite behind Cuomo or remain divided. As the campaign enters its homestretch, the political dynamics underscore the broader tensions between grassroots democracy and elite influence in urban politics.