Curtis Sliwa: The Most Odd Candidate for Mayor of New York City in 2025

Curtis Sliwa plays an odd, almost comical role in the tumultuous and packed 2025 New York City mayoral race: equal parts political underdog, activist, and provocateur. Curtis Sliwa has persevered in the face of overwhelming odds, and as a result, he has emerged as one of the race’s most talked-about, if not the most likely, winners.

A Quick Background: Curtis Sliwa: Who Is He?

Born in Brooklyn on March 26, 1954, Curtis Anthony Curtis Sliwa is most known for being the creator and CEO of the Guardian Angels, a volunteer organisation dedicated to preventing crime. He developed a public image over decades as a street-level criminal advocate, one that was frequently contentious, occasionally dramatic, and always recognisable thanks to his red beret and straightforward manner. Sliwa developed a media presence prior to his political aspirations, particularly as a talk radio host, which provided him with a platform and visibility outside of his Guardian Angels work.

Curtis Sliwa’s shift to electoral politics is not new; in 2021, he was the Republican nominee for mayor of New York City, but he lost badly to Eric Adams. Now, in 2025, he is once more the Republican standard-bearer, but in a much more challenging field.

Plans, Dangers, and Unexpected Turns in the 2025 Mayoral Bid by Curtis Siliwa

In February 2025, Curtis Sliwa officially announced his intention to run for mayor, this time as a Republican. Without a primary opponent, he won the Republican nomination in June, which may have been a reflection of Republicans’ inadequate infrastructure in a city that leans Democratic as well as his solid standing in the party’s urban wing.

Curtis Sliwa has walked a tightrope since the beginning: portraying himself as a law-and-order candidate who hopes to win over working-class New Yorkers while simultaneously embracing his well-established persona as the founder of the Guardian Angels and a tough-on-crime advocate and attempting to reach out beyond the typical Republican base.He has placed a strong emphasis on policies like reducing “wasteful” city spending, streamlining bureaucracies, hiring more police officers, and lowering housing costs, particularly by turning vacant commercial buildings into homes.

Curtis Sliwa’s “Money in Your Pocket” initiative, which would reimburse up to $500 annually for congestion tolls in Manhattan and provide property tax relief and other offsets, is one of his more eye-catching proposals. It would be funded by reducing perceived surplus in city budgets.

Curtis Sliwa’s support of animals is another outlandish wedge issue. He has promoted pet welfare as part of his brand and floated housing rescue cats at Gracie Mansion, the mayor’s official residence. These actions have sparked both criticism and admiration. It serves as a reminder that Curtis Sliwa frequently enjoys both the dramatic and the sombre.

Curtis Sliwa’s Current Highlights and Significant Events

Discuss Public Perception and Debate Performance

Sliwa appeared on stage with independent Andrew Cuomo and Democratic nominee Zohran Mamdani on October 16, 2025. Sliwa delivered a mix of interruptions, colourful anecdotes, and scathing attacks on both opponents in what commentators called a high-energy, somewhat chaotic performance.
He reportedly avoided wearing his trademark red beret in this situation to convey a more solemn demeanour. Along with criticising the city’s 311 complaint system and what he described as ineffective bureaucracy, he also stepped up his focus on public safety issues. Even though he lacked the coherence of his opponents, his unpredictable style helped him dominate moments on stage, according to commentators who shared some of his debate quotes that went viral.
Though Sliwa remained a distant third and Mamdani maintained his polling lead, post-debate panellists largely agreed that the televised exchange didn’t significantly change the course of the race.

Pressure to Resign — and His Opposition

Pressure has grown for Sliwa to withdraw and unite the anti-Mamdani vote as he continues to hold a slender third place in the polls. According to reports, Sliwa has been offered millions of dollars to leave by certain Republican power brokers and donors, including Donald Trump and financier Bill Ackman. He has declined, citing integrity, principles, and a mistrust of the influence of big money on democratic outcomes.
In one of his more dramatic statements, Sliwa claimed that he and his wife are under constant threat from “credible” security threats, which forces him to implement round-the-clock security. The NYPD has countered that it has no documentation of any meetings or threats connected to his allegations, a contradiction that has stoked more debate than immediate alarm.
Despite all of this, Sliwa is adamant that he will remain in the race because he feels that abandoning would be more detrimental to democratic norms than continuing.

Curtis Sliwa’s Strengths, Weaknesses, and Future Direction

———-What Sliwa Finds Effective———-

Branding and name recognition:

Few people in New York are not familiar with Sliwa’s character. He is instantly recognisable due to his media presence and Guardian Angels legacy.

Unique voice:

Sliwa’s bold, outsider tone makes him stand out in a field that is dominated by institutional politicians.

Appealing to different ideologies:

He can reach beyond the Republican base with his populist rhetoric and focus on crime; his positions on animal welfare and his deference to certain cultural concerns may win him unlikely allies.

Adaptability:

Sliwa has shown a willingness to stick with the fight despite intense pressure to step aside, which could appeal to voters fed up with traditional politicians.

———-Significant Difficulties———-

Headwinds from structures:

Republicans are already at a disadvantage in New York City, which is a deep blue city. Reaching Democrats and independents will be necessary to expand his small base of support.

Splitting votes:

Sliwa runs the risk of dividing the non-Mamdani vote by remaining in, which could guarantee a Mamdani victory. Some political figures and donors are calling for his resignation because of this worry.

Credibility issues:

Critics who view Sliwa as eccentric or unimportant find support in claims like the Guardian Angels’ past controversies and constant security threats without police confirmation.

Absence of comprehensive policy depth:

While Sliwa frequently delivers powerful rhetorical zingers, observers frequently observe that he finds it difficult to explain specific policy frameworks pertaining to the vast array of city government issues (public health, infrastructure, education, etc.).

Limitations of polling:

According to the majority of reliable polls, Sliwa has so far trailed his rivals.

The Significance of Curtis Sliwa

Curtis Sliwa could be written off as a novelty act or fringe candidate. However, he is in a more significant position than his polling indicates in the current election.

Sliwa acts as a foil first. His presence compels his rivals, especially Andrew Cuomo, to take conservative or law-and-order criticisms into consideration, even if they are only incidental. That may cause others to become defensive and change the topic of conversation.

Secondly, he poses a “spoiler risk.” Sliwa’s ongoing campaign could split the anti-socialist vote in a three-way race (Mamdani, Cuomo, and Sliwa), affecting whether Mamdani wins by a plurality or is compelled to form strategic alliances.

Third, he moulds media stories. Even though his chances of winning are slim, Sliwa’s provocative style creates headlines and viral moments, garnering attention—and occasionally mockery—that keeps him in the spotlight.

Lastly, Sliwa represents a more general theme: outsider politics’ tenacity. Sliwa’s boldness and seeming genuineness appeal to a segment of the electorate that is eager for voices they perceive as different, for better or worse, in a time when many voters are weary of the establishment elites.

What to Watch and What’s Coming Up, Curtis Sliwa

Second Discussion (October 22):

The debate for the upcoming and probably final general election is very important. It might be Sliwa’s final, best opportunity to change the course of events or take his opponents by surprise.

Changes in the polls:

Sliwa may decide whether to withdraw or remain viable if he notices any discernible movement in the polls, either upward or downward.

Alliances and endorsements:

Keep an eye out for prominent endorsements or approaches from other contenders or community organisations, particularly if pressure mounts for him to withdraw.

Documentation versus security claims:

His claims of reliable threats and round-the-clock security conflict with police records; additional evidence could either strengthen or undermine his credibility.

Funding and resources for the campaign:

Sliwa’s ability to raise money, organise volunteers, and manage ground operations will determine whether he can transition from being a novelty to a legitimate candidate, or at the very least, a significant third force.