Curtis Sliwa Wins Republican Primary for NYC Mayor, Sets Sights on General Election
NEW YORK CITY – Curtis Sliwa, founder of the Guardian Angels and longtime community activist, has clinched the Republican nomination for New York City mayor after running unopposed in the June 24, 2025, primary. Sliwa, 71, now prepares for a high-stakes general election contest against incumbent Eric Adams—who is seeking re-election as an independent—Democratic nominee Zohran Mamdani, and independent candidate Jim Walden.
Sliwa, known for his decades of work in crime prevention and public safety, is centering his campaign on issues of public safety, transit enforcement, and fiscal reform. His platform includes a proposal to expand the NYPD to 40,000 officers, a crackdown on subway fare evasion, and the repeal of the "City of Yes" zoning plan, which he argues undermines local control over housing policy. He has also emphasized animal welfare, establishing a "Protect Animals" ballot line and pledging to make all city animal shelters no-kill facilities.
The Republican nominee has received endorsements from all five New York City Republican county parties, consolidating his support within the party. In recent statements, Sliwa has positioned himself as the champion of working-class New Yorkers, pledging to address rising crime and the cost of living. He has sharply criticized his opponents, including Eric Adams and former Governor Andrew Cuomo, blaming them for the city’s current challenges and vowing to "take back New York City" if elected.
Sliwa’s campaign also calls for increased investment in boroughs outside Manhattan and proposes deploying social worker task forces to subway stations to assist the mentally ill. He has been a vocal opponent of recent bail reforms and has promised to prioritize the prosecution of subway crimes, particularly those targeting women and minorities.
The general election, set for November 2025, is expected to be closely watched as Sliwa attempts to unseat Adams and navigate a crowded field that includes both major party and independent challengers.