Dov Hikind: Major Upswing for Curtis Sliwa in Latest Poll

Peloni: Pursuing a split vote in NCY against Mamdani is the pathway towards a Mamdani victory. While my sympathies lie with Sliwa, only a single candidate can afford to be on the ballot on election day. The question is whether the interests of Sliwa, Adams and cuomo can be managed in such a way as to meet this challenge, or if they will collectively act as co-spoilers to their rivals and thereby make a Marxist Islamist mayor over the Big Apple. The preference of significant distinctions between opposition groups is what has kept the Mullahs in power in Iran over the past many decades. Such an outcome can not be allowed to take place in NYC.

July 16, 2025 | 22 Comments »

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  1. Save NYC’: Dov Hikind switches endorsement to Cuomo to block Mamdani
    Dov Hikind drops Curtis Sliwa and backs Andrew Cuomo for NYC mayor, citing Cuomo as the only viable candidate to defeat Zohran Mamdani, known for his controversial ties and anti-Israel stance.

    Former New York State Assemblyman Dov Hikind, head of the Americans Against Antisemitism organization, announced on Sunday that he was switching his endorsement in the New York mayoral race from Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa to Andrew Cuomo, who is running as an independent.
    In a video posted to his X account, Hikind explained that the reason for his decision is the fact that Cuomo is the only candidate who can defeat Democratic candidate Zohran Mamdani, known for his anti-Israel stance.
    “My friends, this is truly a very difficult moment for me. Four months ago, I endorsed Curtis Sliwa for mayor. But today, I am asking you, pleading with you, to vote for Andrew Cuomo,” said Hikind.
    “Here’s why,” he continued. “New York City is in a critical moment. If Mamdani wins, the future of our city is on the line. That’s not politics. That’s reality. A man who associates with someone who said America deserved 9/11, and another individual tied to the 1993 World Trade Center bombing, is simply unfit to run this city.”

    Hikind admitted that “I have my issues with Andrew Cuomo. They’re well known, and I understand if some of you feel the same way. That’s exactly why this moment matters so much. We do not have the luxury of misplacing our votes.”
    “I like Curtis. I still think he’d be a great mayor. But right now, there’s only one person who can stop Mamdani, and that’s Andrew Cuomo. You don’t have to love him. You don’t have to like him. You just have to save New York City. So I urge you to vote for Cuomo,” he concluded.
    Mamdani has faced heavy criticism due to his anti-Israel stance, which includes his criticism of Israel on October 8, 2023 – just one day after the Hamas massacre in southern Israel, as well as his refusal to condemn the phrase “globalize the intifada”.
    He also recently declared that he would stop using the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA)’s working definition of antisemitism.

    Related articles:
    * Zohran Mamdani mourns how 9/11 changed life for Muslims in NYC
    * Adams endorses Cuomo, says Mamdani doesn’t care about Jews
    * JD Vance criticizes Mamdani for calling his aunt a 9/11 ‘victim’
    * ‘New Yorkers must protect our values’

    In addition, Mamdani has repeatedly accused Israel of war crimes in its battle against Hamas in Gaza, and has vowed to arrest Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu if he visits New York City, citing the International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant issued against Netanyahu – even though the US is not a member of the ICC.
    On Friday, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries formally endorsed Mamdani, following months of public ambiguity surrounding his position.

    Arutz Sheva

  3. “These Voters Were Overlooked. Then They Helped Mamdani Win.
    The democratic socialist’s victory in the New York mayoral primary is a sign that South Asian voters are beginning to assert themselves as an impactful political demographic.”

    “…Even so, in June, as primary voting maps show, those same South Asian areas in Queens and Brooklyn that had lost Democratic support and shifted towards Trump in 2024 went decisively for Mamdani.”

    “…A November 2024 video Mamdani posted on social media contains clues about how Mamdani went from polling at 1 percent shortly after launching his campaign to comfortably winning the primary. In it, Mamdani did interviews with Trump voters, many of whom appeared to be working-class South Asians, asking them why they voted for Trump and what it would take for them to switch back to the Democratic Party. Then he told them about his campaign. The video captures the mix of tactics that may have led to Mamdani’s ultimate success: He went directly to these voters, asked them what they needed, and told them he could deliver it. He then made what he heard — in particular, concerns about affordability — the heart of his campaign, amplifying it consistently through savvy social media videos in South Asian languages and an aggressive field campaign staffed with South Asian faces…”

    https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2025/07/27/south-asian-voters-mamdani-win-00475700

    My comment: Sliwa has been addressing this. I am rethinking my support for Adams. But November is a long way off. Defeating Mamdani is what matters.

    • They need to coalesce around one candidate with the others dropping out. I’d like to hope Sliwa could pull it off in a two man race, but no chance in a 4 man race, IMO.

  4. Email received:

    That is good news about Sliwa moving up in the polls. Thank you for sharing it.

    I am not sure why you think a split vote would hurt him. My understanding is that with the rank choice people get to write in their second choice. Dems and Indep. fed up with the other three might put Sliwa as their number 2.

    If the vote was split 25% each and if all Cuomo voters put Adam’s second Adam’s could win, or if all Adam voters put Cuomo second Cuomo would win (not that either of those would be great).

    Or if half of Cuomo voters put Sliwa second, and half of Adam’s voters put Sliwa second, that would give Sliwa the victory.

  5. AI Overview

    +7
    Based on the latest reports, Mayor Eric Adams holds a significant fundraising lead over Curtis Sliwa in the lead-up to the November 2025 mayoral election.
    Here’s a breakdown:
    Eric Adams:
    Raised over $1.5 million in a recent filing period (June 25 to July 11, 2025).
    This figure represents a considerable increase compared to earlier fundraising periods.
    He currently has the most cash on hand among the general election candidates, with roughly $4.3 million in his war chest.
    A significant portion of Adams’ recent contributions came from the real estate industry, with notable donations from employees of major firms like SL Green, Cushman & Wakefield, CBRE, and Newmark.
    He has also expanded his fundraising network, including events in places like Florida with individuals aligned with a Young Republicans group and President Trump.
    Curtis Sliwa:
    Raised under $170,000 between June 10 and July 11, 2025.
    He currently has only about $100,000 on hand.
    Sliwa’s fundraising efforts have resulted in a significant financial gap compared to Adams.
    Important note: While Adams has raised more money, he has also been denied public matching funds by the City’s Campaign Finance Board (CFB), citing reasons such as a lack of cooperation with the board’s investigation and failing to provide requested documentation. Sliwa’s campaign has not yet applied for matching funds but plans to do so in August.
    In summary, Eric Adams currently has a clear fundraising advantage over Curtis Sliwa, though the issue of matching funds for Adams remains unresolved.

  6. Adams Eclipses Mamdani in Recent Fund-Raising, as Cuomo Lags Behind
    Mayor Eric Adams reported raising $1.5 million over the last month, but his inability to qualify for matching funds may hamper his re-election bid.

    “…Mr. Mamdani also posted a strong fund-raising haul during that period. He raised $852,000, including $256,000 that is eligible for public matching funds, effectively boosting his total to $1.1 million, according to his campaign. And in a sign of his growing national stature, roughly 45 percent of his contributions came from outside New York State. He now has just over $2.6 million on hand.

    Former Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo, in contrast, raised just $64,000 during the recent fund-raising period, in part because he was not actively fund-raising while he mulled whether to continue his campaign as an independent in November. He has almost $1.2 million on hand, and, after releasing a video on Monday confirming his intention to run, is expected to now start focusing on raising money…”

    https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/16/nyregion/mamdani-adams-donors-money.html

  8. AI Overview

    +8
    Overall crime in New York City has seen reductions in several major categories under Mayor Adams’ administration. While some statistics show a decrease in overall crime compared to the previous year, other data suggests that certain crimes, like felony assaults, are still higher than when Adams took office.
    Here’s a more detailed look at the crime statistics under Mayor Adams:
    Positive Trends:
    Reductions in Major Crimes:
    In 2024, New York City saw reductions in five of the seven major crime categories, including murder, robbery, burglary, grand larceny, and auto theft, according to NYC.gov.
    Fewer Victims:
    A report from June 2025 stated that there were 3,128 fewer victims of major crimes in New York City compared to the same period last year, according to NYC.gov.
    Shooting and Homicide Declines:
    Recent reports indicate record lows in shootings and homicides for certain periods, with the Adams administration highlighting the removal of a significant number of illegal guns from the streets.
    Transit Crime Decline:
    The transit system also saw a reduction in crime, according to NYC.gov.
    Areas of Concern:
    Felony Assaults:
    While some crime categories have decreased, felony assaults are still reported to be higher than when Adams took office.
    Reported Rapes:
    There have been increases in reported rapes, which city officials attribute to a new state law broadening the definition of rape, according to NYC.gov.
    Overall Crime:
    Despite reductions in some areas, data from earlier in the year suggested that overall major felony crimes were still higher than in 2022.
    Quality of Life Infractions:
    While not major felonies, some reports indicate an increase in quality-of-life infractions like trespassing and graffiti.
    Key Points:
    Data Fluctuations:
    It’s important to note that crime statistics can fluctuate and are subject to revision.
    Focus on Prevention:
    The Adams administration has emphasized community-centered strategies and gun violence prevention efforts.
    Mixed Public Perception:
    While some data shows positive trends, many New Yorkers still express concerns about safety.

    Got that? “In 2024, New York City saw reductions in five of the seven major crime categories, including murder, robbery, burglary, grand larceny, and auto theft, according to NYC.gov.”

  9. @Sebastien,com.

    New York City, viewed as a whole, is not an entirely safe city in respect to crime. When I asked bing.com whether New York City was a safe city, this is the reply I got::

    New York City has a mixed reputation regarding safety.

    In 2025, it is rated as having a B grade for crime, indicating it is safer than 55% of cities but less safe than 45%1.
    The central neighborhoods have higher crime rates, with about 140,204 incidents reported annually, while the southwest part is considered the safest1.
    While New York City is generally safer than cities like Philadelphia and Chicago, it still has a medium overall risk, especially in certain high-risk areas2.
    Tourists can visit safely by using common sense and avoiding less safe neighborhoods4.
    Overall, New York City is considered one of the safest major U.S. cities for tourists, with a significant drop in crime over the past decade5.
    In summary, while there are areas of concern, many residents and visitors feel safe in New York City.

    • Southwest NYC isn’t a neighborhood. What does that even mean? There are 5 boroughs, each composed of many neighborhoods. Sliwa likes the police chief, Adams appointed, Jessica Tisch. Crime is way down. What can he do differently than Adams? I think he’s all talk. Adams was, himself, a police captain! Nobody can make all of
      the city 100 percent crime free 100 percent of
      the time. That’s pie in the sky stuff. Like Mamdani. Tell people what they want to hear. For one thing, there’s limits to what judges will permit, as Giuliani and Bloomberg learned the hard way. And police can only act after people commit crimes.

    • I queried:

      Has NYC ever been 100 percent safe?

      and got:

      AI Overview

      +10
      While New York City has experienced periods of significant crime decline, it has never been, nor is it likely to be, 100% safe.
      Safety is a perception and a reality influenced by various factors. Urban safety refers to measures taken to protect people in cities, including crime prevention, emergency services, and infrastructure, according to http://www.vaia.com. While New York City has seen periods of dramatic improvement in crime rates, particularly after the early 1990s, safety is an ongoing concern for residents and visitors alike.
      Crime rates in NYC fluctuate, influenced by socio-economic factors and policing strategies. NYC experienced a peak in crime during the late 1980s and early 1990s due to the crack cocaine epidemic, followed by a significant decrease attributed to factors like the end of the epidemic, gentrification, increased incarceration, and policing strategies, says Wikipedia. However, the city has recently seen an uptick in murders and other violent crimes, prompting concerns about safety. Some sources suggest that areas with higher levels of socioeconomic disadvantage tend to have higher crime rates, according to Number Analytics.
      NYC continues to implement strategies to enhance safety. NYC has adopted various policing strategies and initiatives aimed at improving safety, such as community policing programs and targeted efforts in high-crime areas. However, the effectiveness of some strategies, like stop-and-frisk, has been questioned.
      In conclusion, while New York City has made great strides in improving safety over the past few decades, no city can claim to be entirely safe. Factors like crime rates, socio-economic conditions, and individual experiences contribute to varying perceptions of safety in the city.

      Not sure when this was written. Crime is down. Certainly where I live, on the western edge of Harlem. And there is friendly civility. And I used to get attacked a lot. That’s my perception. My first choice won’t be some kibbitzer who thinks he can re-invent the wheel. And if you think having a well-regarded black mayor who likes and appreciates Jews and has a zero tolerance policy towards hate crimes doesn’t influence the atmosphere, think again. The difference is palpable. Mayor Adams is a rare jewel, a treasure. And he knows the extent and limits of his office. I’ve heard so many ignorant starements from the other candidates. None of them are properly prepared to govern.

  10. David Paterson says his family has been inundated with nasty calls from supporters of radical candidate Zohran Mamdani after the former governor called for 1 of Mamdani’s opponents to drop out of the race to have a better chance of defeating Mamdani.
    Israel National News
    Israel National News
    1 minutes

    ”
    https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/411602 Ex-NY Governor: ‘Mamdani supporters targeted my family’ | Israel National News

  12. AI Overview

    +2
    New York state political party percentages
    Based on voter registration data from October 1, 2024, the percentages of registered voters in New York State affiliated with major political parties are:
    Democrats: 48.78%
    Republicans: 21.04%
    Unaffiliated: 26.26%
    Third Party/Other: 3.92%
    Note: Unaffiliated voters are registered to vote but not affiliated with any political party. It’s worth noting that New York has a closed primary system, meaning only voters registered with a party can vote in that party’s primary elections.

  13. Sliwa vs. Adams is a distinction without a difference, if you leave out Sliwa’s
    inexperience. and the hatred most New Yorkers hold for Republicans. There are no Republican elected officials, including judges, and 5 out of the more than 50 city council members are Republican, (sorry, 6 out of 51) in my opinion. Sliwa hasn’t said what he would do differently and he hasn’t addressed antisemitism at all. He
    just said that there is no point in focusing on that because Mamdani’s Millenial and Gen Z followers who are now
    a majority don’t care. And Sliwa went on an anti-semitic rant in 2018. I voted for him last
    time – against Adams, this is a re-match, if you want to talk about egos – because I support Sliwa’s animal rights plank. But, he leaves a very bad taste in my mouth now. I am a lifelong resident and I’ve never felt so safe. The buses and subways have never been this efficient. As a lutier (violin maker) once told me when I brought my violin in for a regular checkup, “The enemy of
    good is
    better.”

    I say, If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. Sliwa makes a big deal about being s major party candidate but he ran unopposed. 😀

    As did Mayor Michael Bloomberg the first time around so he wouldn’t have to face a primary Oh excuse me, there was no primary then. He
    got elected, like Giuliani before him but New Yorkers were desperate back then.

    I’m happy with things as they are. I doubt I’m alone.

    And he has not been convicted of any kind of
    corruption. This is lawfare. The
    fact that nobody has
    targeted Sliwa is
    testament to the inconsequential perennial joke
    they regard him as.

  14. I also prefer Sliwa, but he barely has a shot. Adams and Cuomo’s egos won’t allow either of them to step aside. Has there been any polls regarding a hypothetical one on one matchup between Curtis and mamdani?