Sliwa Accuses Cuomo of Engineering NYCS Current Challenges, Calls for Campaign Withdrawal
NEW YORK, NY – November 1, 2025 – Republican mayoral nominee Curtis Sliwa launched a sharp attack on former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo Monday, asserting Cuomo is responsible for the issues facing New York City and should withdraw from the mayoral race.
Sliwa,in a statement released by his campaign,labeled Cuomo “the architect of New York’s decline,” alleging his policies empowered a radical left agenda that has negatively impacted public safety and contributed to citywide instability.
“Cuomo created this socialist nightmare,” Sliwa stated, referencing the former governor’s resignation amid scandal. “He defunded the police, shuttered Rikers, and signed no-cash bail into law, leaving our streets a war zone. Now he’s slinking back, pretending to be our savior? New Yorkers won’t fall for it.”
Sliwa, founder of the guardian Angels, further accused Cuomo of “normalizing the radical left” and creating a political environment that allowed Democratic Socialist Zohran Mamdani to defeat Cuomo in the Democratic primary.
The Republican nominee is currently trailing both Mamdani and Cuomo in polls as he attempts to consolidate support from Republicans and disaffected Democrats with a platform focused on law and order. Sliwa argues Cuomo’s entry into the race is not aimed at improving the city, but at preventing others from doing so. “If Cuomo wants accountability, he can start by dropping out,” he said.
Sliwa’s campaign recently gained endorsements from Queens Democrat Councilman Robert Holden, featured in a new 30-second ad, and former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, who voiced his support on his podcast “America’s Mayor Live.” Giuliani praised Sliwa as a “fighter for law and order” and described Cuomo as “a failed leader who resigned in disgrace.”
Cuomo entered the mayoral race as a late addition following his resignation as governor in the wake of sexual harassment allegations and criticism regarding his handling of the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic.
The mayoral election is scheduled for November 4.
