The Brian Lehrer Show Candidate Sliwa's Chances
Jul 17, 2025
Elizabeth Kim, a political reporter at Gothamist and WNYC, dives into the dynamics of Curtis Sliwa's candidacy for mayor. She highlights Sliwa's unique interview insights and critiques of opponents, exploring how these narratives shape the race. Kim discusses his appeal to independent voters, the implications of crime and immigration on voter preferences, and the impact of high-profile endorsements. The conversation also touches on corruption allegations against Mayor Adams and the financial challenges candidates face in the competitive NYC political landscape.
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Sliwa's Mild Stance on Mamdani
- Curtis Sliwa takes a less hysterical stance toward Zoran Mamdani than Adams and Cuomo do.
- He presents Mamdani as a normal candidate rather than a radical threat, focusing his attacks on Adams and Cuomo instead.
Sliwa's Base is NYC Republicans
- Curtis Sliwa's support base includes Republicans and voters concerned about subway safety.
- He held specific NYC strongholds like Staten Island and parts of Brooklyn and Queens in the 2021 mayoral race.
Unlikely Candidate Consolidation
- Cuomo proposes consolidating non-Mamdani candidates to unify votes, betting on his current lead.
- Adams, Cuomo, and Sliwa find such consolidation unlikely due to mutual attacks on each other's qualifications.