New York’s Mayoral Race Turns into Left-Right Clash as Cuomo Faces Criticism

By Deroy Murdock
Tuesday, 28 October 2025 04:21 PM EDT

Political analysts agree: New Yorkers deserve a clear choice for mayor, not the current three-way contest. Andrew Cuomo’s campaign for City Hall is faltering despite his strong performance in Wednesday’s second mayoral debate. The once-obscure State Assemblyman Zohran Kwame Mamdani of Queens shocked Cuomo in the June 24 Democratic primary, securing 43.9% to Cuomo’s 36.2%. Mamdani, a democratic socialist, has become a rising star on the far left.

Cuomo’s controversial legacy includes his handling of nursing home residents during the pandemic, which critics argue led to the deaths of 12,743 seniors. His policies have drawn comparisons to negligence, with calls for accountability rather than a mayoral bid. Meanwhile, Republican nominee Curtis Sliwa, founder of the Guardian Angels, has positioned himself as a stark contrast to Mamdani’s agenda.

Mamdani’s tax proposals include raising rates on those earning over $1 million, a plan critics say disproportionately targets wealthier neighborhoods. His website suggests shifting the tax burden from outer borough homeowners to “richer and whiter neighborhoods,” sparking accusations of racial bias. Sliwa, in contrast, pledges immediate property tax cuts for seniors and income tax holidays for young professionals. He also aims to reduce corporate taxes in New York City to compete with cities like Boston and Miami.

As New Jersey’s Republican gubernatorial candidate Jack Ciattarelli gains momentum, New York faces pressure to cut taxes or risk losing residents to neighboring states. Sliwa argues that without fiscal reforms, the city risks economic collapse. His campaign emphasizes crime reduction and economic growth, positioning himself as a defender of traditional values against what he calls “Communist” policies.

Sliwa’s platform includes incentives for businesses to hire local graduates and tax credits for employers in key industries. He frames his candidacy as a fight for capitalism against Mamdani’s “kinder, gentler Communism,” vowing to represent the Republican Party’s core values.

The debate over New York’s future hinges on starkly different visions: one focused on tax cuts and law enforcement, the other on redistributive policies and social equity. Voters now face a pivotal choice between these competing paths.