As Election Day looms just three days away in New York City, excitement is buzzing across the Big Apple. Early voting has hit record highs, reporting over double the amount of early votes compared to the last election cycle four years ago. One candidate making waves is Republican hopeful Curtis Sliwa, who has donned his signature beret and iconic smile, ready to face the political fray.
Recent polls suggest Sliwa holds between 16 and 20% of the vote, while former Governor Andrew Cuomo, fresh off his political resurrection, has been fluctuating between mid 20s to mid 30s. With pressure mounting for Sliwa to withdraw from the race, many may wonder if he sees a potential setback. However, Sliwa is confident, pointing fingers at the Democrats for bringing a largely untested Cuomo back into the limelight. He argues that the Democrats have laid the groundwork for their own demise by endorsing Cuomo, who was previously left trailing behind in the primary elections, only to attempt a grand re-entrance.
Sliwa paints a vivid picture of the campaign trail, highlighting how Cuomo appears to be absent when the public needs a mayorial candidate who is present and engaged. Unlike his opponent, Sliwa considers himself the “happy warrior,” actively participating in events like the iconic Halloween parade in Greenwich Village. He relishes the support he garners from the public, aiming to convert that enthusiasm into votes in the countdown to Election Day.
However, he does acknowledge challenges concerning the younger voters, particularly those drawn to the promises of a different vision by candidate Mamdani. According to Sliwa, a notable portion of those who voted early are 55 or older—a demographic that tends to favor him, while younger voters have just recently joined in. This gives Sliwa cause for concern, as he believes Mamdani’s campaign leans heavily on enticing voters with potential benefits. Sliwa has suggested that Mamdani has enjoyed an easy ride so far during his campaign without having been sufficiently challenged about his political stance.
As Sliwa moves into the final stretch, he is focused on executing a strategic voter outreach plan. He draws from the campaigning techniques that proved successful for Donald Trump in past elections, emphasizing the importance of reaching out to voters through traditional grass-roots methods. This includes knocking on doors, sending out newsletters, conducting phone campaigns, and ensuring communication remains robust right up to the finish line.
Curtis Sliwa does not shy away from voicing his frustrations with the status quo and the prior administration, indicating that the city has suffered under Democratic leadership. He argues that under the guidance of Sliwa, New York City could transition back to a path of law and order, paving the way for a brighter future. He believes that voting for him signifies a rejection of fear and hysteria that he claims has permeated the city. With a flair for the dramatic, Sliwa envisions a future where solutions, not turmoil, take center stage.
As the countdown commences, voters are urged to make their voices heard, reminding all that the right to vote is a hard-fought privilege worth exercising. Whether Sliwa can transform enthusiasm into tangible support remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the city is alive with political energy, and each vote counts just as much as the heroes who fought for that very right.
