CBS New York highlights the intensifying mayoral race in New York City between incumbent Mayor Eric Adams and former Governor Andrew Cuomo. The sources reveal each candidate attacking the other’s past actions and ethics during recent Sunday parades. Adams criticized Cuomo’s resignation amid sexual harassment allegations, contrasting it with his own persistence through federal corruption charges. Cuomo retaliated by accusing Adams of prioritizing personal benefit over New Yorkers’ interests by allegedly making a deal with former President Trump concerning his corruption case. A recent Wick Insights poll indicates that Zohran Mamdani, a Democratic candidate, currently leads the race, with Cuomo, Republican Curtis Sliwa, and Adams trailing behind.
Party Affiliation: The only Republican candidate in the race, Sliwa switched his registration back to the GOP in February 2021
Background: Founder of the Guardian Angels and former radio host. He emphasizes public safety, grassroots activism, and small business support .
Key Priorities:
Law & Order: Proposing adding 7,000 NYPD officers to tackle crime issues.
Animal welfare: Actively pursued a suspect in a pit‑bull attack; regularly highlights animal abuse prevention.
Image reform: Offers to retire his iconic red beret if elected, to appeal to more serious-minded, affluent voters ..
Campaign Stance: Despite pressure to drop out to consolidate anti‑socialist votes, Sliwa insists democracy means letting voters decide—he refuses to withdraw even if moderates urge unity .
2. Zohran Mamdani (Democrat)
Won the Democratic primary with 56% after ranked-choice rounds; currently projected to win as a progressive champion focused on rent freezes, transit reforms, and public services.
3. Andrew Cuomo (Independent)
Former governor with a controversial history (resigned amid scandal). Now running on the “Fight & Deliver” line. Critics argue his entry splits the moderate vote and undermines unity.
4. Eric Adams (Independent, Incumbent)
Continues as sitting mayor amid federal bribery allegations. He’s backed by unions and some business sectors, but many see him as aligned with Trump’s orbit and offering less differentiation from Cuomo
5. Jim Walden (Independent)
Long-shot candidate , but has called for non‑Mamdani candidates to coalesce behind a single contender—though without success .
GOP Voter Strategy: Why Support Sliwa?
Only clear conservative voice: Strong emphasis on crime reduction, public safety, and pro‑business policies.
Anti-establishment appeal: Not a career politician; branded as a street-level leader and outsider.
Fragmented opposition helps: With Cuomo and Adams splitting the moderate vote, Sliwa stands to consolidate the anti‑Mamdani electorate.
Authentic grassroots campaign: Prioritizes direct voter outreach in all boroughs without reliance on elite endorsements NY1.
Summary Table (From GOP Perspective)
Candidate
Party / Line
Republican Viewpoint
Curtis Sliwa
Republican
Law‑and‑order outsider, public safety
Zohran Mamdani
Democrat
Socialist agenda—anti‑business, risky
Andrew Cuomo
Independent
Establishment moderate, scandal-plagued
Eric Adams
Independent
Weak moderation; Trump-aligned
Jim Walden
Independent
Marginal—sporadic influence
✅ Voter Actions for GOP Supporters
Vote for Curtis Sliwa on the GOP line — only clear conservative option.
Encourage consolidation—warning moderates may split vote and help Mamdani win.
Stay informed about criminal justice, small business policy, and public spending differences.
Follow local news and attend events—to reinforce Sliwa’s outreach and grassroots mobilization.
In summary: from a Republican viewpoint, Curtis Sliwa is the city’s only authentic conservative candidate offering a firm stance on crime and small government. While polls place him behind Mamdani, the divided moderate field offers a slim but realistic path — provided GOP and anti‑Mamdani votes stay unified behind him.
Party Nominee: Curtis Sliwa stands as the only Republican candidate in the race. He ran unopposed in the GOP primary.
Background: Founder of the Guardian Angels and longtime radio host, Sliwa emphasizes grassroots crime-fighting, public safety, and accountability.
Platform Priorities:
Add 7,000 police officers to restore law and order amid rising crime concerns.
Advocate for small business relief, robust NYPD support, and strict enforcement of anti-animal cruelty laws (e.g. a recent case involving a pit bull prompted Sliwa’s intervention).
Public contrition and closure: He recently apologized for past statements regarding Jewish New Yorkers, positioning it as a strength in building trust among the Jewish community.
Campaign Persona:
Known for symbolically pledging to stop wearing his iconic red beret if elected, to appear more serious to affluent and moderate voters.
Positions himself as the authentic alternative to establishment moderates.
General Election Landscape — Republican Lens
Public Safety & Crime
Sliwa argues New York is safer when the streets are patrolled — offering concrete policy on police expansion against Biden-era policies and sanctuary city controversies.
Electoral Fragmentation & Realistic GOP Strategy
With Andrew Cuomo and Eric Adams both running as independent moderates, Sliwa sees a vote-splitting opportunity. He’s optimistic a split anti-Mamdani vote gives him a higher ceiling.
Contrasting Sliwa vs Other Candidates
Zohran Mamdani (Democratic Socialist)
Leading the general election field, Mamdani promotes expansive socialist-style policies: rent freezes, transit fares overhauls, public grocery stores, and local substitutions for traditional policing.
Republican critics (including Trump and GOP-aligned commentators) attack him as too radical, linking him to anti‑business and anti‑security agendas and labeling him “un-American.”
Andrew Cuomo (Independent)
Re-entered race on “Fight & Deliver” line; carries baggage from 2021 resignation and controversy over misconduct allegations. Many Republicans argue his candidacy dilutes the moderate alternative.
Eric Adams (Independent)
Incumbent mayor running on a self-branded “EndAntiSemitism” or “Safe&Affordable” ticket. GOP voices suggest Adams is too reliant on Trump’s favor and lacks independence. Adams is polling in single digits and partly blamed for splitting the opposition.
Why Republicans Are Rallying Behind Sliwa
Clear conservative vision: A tough-on-crime candidate with emphasis on law enforcement and public safety.
Electoral opening through fragmentation: With competing moderates, Sliwa may emerge as the consolidated anti‑Mamdani choice.
Authentic outsider appeal: He’s neither a career politician nor part of the local power networks—portrayed as a true street-level leader.
Cultural change contrast: His campaign positions him as the bulwark against Mamdani’s progressive policies and Cuomo’s comeback.
Voter Takeaways (Republican Voter Focus)
First choice on GOP line: Curtis Sliwa is the only Republican on the ballot — he needs your vote.
If you oppose socialism and policies you view as radical, Sliwa is clear on offering a different direction.
Moderates and independents skeptical of Adams or Cuomo may unify behind Sliwa as the strongest feasible non‑Mamdani contender.
Focus on public safety, small business rights, and community concerns—Sliwa maintains a grassroots message from street-level activism.
Summary Table — Republican-Centered View
Candidate
Party / Line
GOP Perspective
Curtis Sliwa
Republican
Tough-on-crime outsider, city safety
Zohran Mamdani
Democratic
Socialist, seen as extreme agenda
Andrew Cuomo
Independent
Establishment moderate, high baggage
Eric Adams
Independent
Will rely on Trump; less traction
Jim Walden
Independent
Unknown, minimal impact
In short: from a Republican standpoint, Curtis Sliwa is the only real candidate offering conservative governance and public safety reform. With both moderates likely splitting votes, GOP voters and disaffected independents could shift momentum his way.
Democratic Nominee: Zohran Mamdani (Democratic Socialists of America)
Won Democratic primary via ranked-choice voting with final-round support of 56.0%.
Platform includes rent freezes, free public transport, municipal grocery stores; endorsed by Bernie Sanders and AOC .
Repunlican Nominee:Curtis Sliwa ; law-and-order focus, founder of Guardian Angels; pledges to retire red beret if elected.
Independent :Andrew Cuomo (formerly Democrat; former governor), running independent, raising moderate-business coalition to oppose Mamdani .
Eric Adams (incumbent mayor), running as independent after not seeking Democratic nomination; positions as pragmatic alternative .
Jim Walden (independent/private attorney).
2. New York City Council Elections
All 51 seats up for grabs on November 4, 2025; majority requires 26 seats .
Primaries occurred June 24, 2025 using ranked‑choice redistribution for party nominations .
Key districts (Manhattan, Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens) have high-profile contests between incumbents and challengers—many races include major party competition and Working Families, Conservative endorsements .
Notable incumbents and challengers:
District 3: Harvey Epstein (Dem/WFP) vs. Jason Murillo (Rep/Con)
District 5: Julie Menin (i) vs. Alina Bonsell
District 22: Tiffany Cabán (i) seeking reelection
Many races feature Working Families Party cross‑endorsements .
For full list by district, including all parties and candidates, see the Ballotpedia overview BallotpediaWikipedia.
🗳️ Other Key Information
Voter Registration & Party Filing Deadlines
Primary voter registration deadline: June 14, 2025
NYC Votes online voter guide launches in Fall 2025. It will include candidate info, district lookup tools, and ballot previews NYC Votes.
🔍 Summary Table
Race
Candidates & Parties
Mayor (Nov 4, 2025)
Zohran Mamdani (Dem/Socialist) Curtis Sliwa (Republican) Andrew Cuomo (Independent) Eric Adams (Independent) Jim Walden (Independent)
City Council (All 51)
Multiple incumbents vs challengers across Democratic, Republican, Conservative, Working Families lines
Key Campaign Themes
Mamdani’s platform: progressive and populist—housing affordability, free transit, public grocery stores; strong grassroots support from DSA .
Sliwa occupies Republican lane, campaigning on safety and law enforcement; critics question his viability
Adams
Cuomo vying for moderate dem center; debates over spoiling vs coalition building
Jim Walden
✅ What to Do as a Voter
Register or update your registration by November 3, 2025.
Request a mail ballot by October 25 (mail/online) or in person by Nov 3.
Mark early voting, Oct 25–Nov 2, or vote in person on Election Day (Nov 4).
Use NYC Votes online voter guide this fall to check your district and review full candidate listings for City Council and ballot proposals.
Review candidate positions—especially major races for mayor and council—and decide based on policy priorities, alignment, and electability.
In Summary
The NYC mayoral election will be a pivotal ideological fight between Zohran Mamdani (Democratic Socialists) and a splintered moderate field (Cuomo, Adams) VS Curtis Sliwa as Republican challenger.
City Council races cover all 51 districts with diverse contests across Democratic, Republican, Conservative, and Working Families lines.
Voters should review the online guide, check candidate platforms, map their district, meet deadlines, and cast ballots early or on Nov 4.
All five seats (Manhattan, Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island) are on the ballot. For instance:
Manhattan: With Mark Levine vacating the post, declared Democratic candidates include Brad Hoylman‑Sigal, Keith Powers, and Calvin Sun; GOP may field Conservative line or minor candidates NYC Board of Elections
City Council
All 51 districts are on the ballot. Primaries were held June 24 with ranked-choice voting. The current balance is roughly 45 Democratic and 6 Republican incumbents; Republicans aim to expand to at least 26 for a majority
Use NYC311 or the BOE’s Poll Site Locator to find your assigned early voting or Election Day location and view sample ballots for your district on.nyc.gov NYC Votes
✅ At-a‑Glance Summary Table
Office
Major Candidates
Party Lines / Affiliations
Mayor
Zohran Mamdani, Curtis Sliwa, Eric Adams, Andrew Cuomo, Jim Walden
Democratic/WFP, Republican, Independent lines
Public Advocate
Jumaane Williams (incumbent), Gonzalo Duran
Democratic/WFP, Republican/Conservative
Borough Presidents
Various candidates by borough
Primarily Democratic; GOP/Conservative lines where applicable
City Council (51 seats)
Multi‑party competition in each district
Primaries via ranked-choice, general across party lines
This single-page guide compiles all verified, official data on the 2025 NYC General Election—covering candidates, offices, voting schedules, districts, and procedural essentials.
