Curtis Sliwa, a veteran of New York City's streets and politics, has taken the Republican field by storm in the city's mayoral election. With his grassroots campaign and unapologetic rhetoric, Sliwa is poised to shake up the Democratic Party's stranglehold on the city.
The 24-year-old Republican candidate rose to prominence as the leader of the Guardian Angels, a volunteer crime-fighting group that became famous for its patrols of the New York City subway system. Over three decades ago, Sliwa started the group from his job at McDonald's, and many still see him as a symbol of New Yorkers stepping up when city administration fails.
Despite criticism that the Guardian Angels perpetuated a brand of vigilantism that endangered innocent lives, supporters argue that they embodied community spirit and took matters into their own hands. However, others have accused the group of demonizing immigrants and perpetuating Islamophobic tropes – charges Sliwa has repeatedly denied.
As the only right-wing candidate in the field, Sliwa has won over many Republicans who feel disillusioned with the Democratic Party's handling of crime. Some have also defected from the Democrats to support him, citing his commitment to public safety and no-nonsense approach to governance.
Critics paint Sliwa as a polarizing figure who is more interested in demonizing vulnerable communities than finding solutions to real problems. His proposal to hire 7,000 new NYPD officers and re-establish "proactive and intrusive policing strategies" has been met with skepticism by civil liberties advocates and experts who say that approach can lead to increased racial profiling.
Sliwa's anti-affordability message also resonates with some voters who feel the city is out of control. He has vowed to overhaul the affordable housing programme, a key plank of his platform that aims to provide more support for struggling families and small business owners.
On the campaign trail, Sliwa has been a thorn in the side of both Mamdani and Cuomo, questioning their qualifications and policies on crime. Critics point out that his own record is not without its flaws – he was once caught faking crimes to boost publicity for the Guardian Angels – but he remains undeterred.
As the election looms closer, it's clear that Sliwa has no realistic path to victory unless a few miracle events occur. His latest poll numbers show him lagging behind Mamdani and Cuomo, but he still maintains a loyal following among some Republicans who feel disillusioned with the Democratic Party.
The 24-year-old Republican candidate rose to prominence as the leader of the Guardian Angels, a volunteer crime-fighting group that became famous for its patrols of the New York City subway system. Over three decades ago, Sliwa started the group from his job at McDonald's, and many still see him as a symbol of New Yorkers stepping up when city administration fails.
Despite criticism that the Guardian Angels perpetuated a brand of vigilantism that endangered innocent lives, supporters argue that they embodied community spirit and took matters into their own hands. However, others have accused the group of demonizing immigrants and perpetuating Islamophobic tropes – charges Sliwa has repeatedly denied.
As the only right-wing candidate in the field, Sliwa has won over many Republicans who feel disillusioned with the Democratic Party's handling of crime. Some have also defected from the Democrats to support him, citing his commitment to public safety and no-nonsense approach to governance.
Critics paint Sliwa as a polarizing figure who is more interested in demonizing vulnerable communities than finding solutions to real problems. His proposal to hire 7,000 new NYPD officers and re-establish "proactive and intrusive policing strategies" has been met with skepticism by civil liberties advocates and experts who say that approach can lead to increased racial profiling.
Sliwa's anti-affordability message also resonates with some voters who feel the city is out of control. He has vowed to overhaul the affordable housing programme, a key plank of his platform that aims to provide more support for struggling families and small business owners.
On the campaign trail, Sliwa has been a thorn in the side of both Mamdani and Cuomo, questioning their qualifications and policies on crime. Critics point out that his own record is not without its flaws – he was once caught faking crimes to boost publicity for the Guardian Angels – but he remains undeterred.
As the election looms closer, it's clear that Sliwa has no realistic path to victory unless a few miracle events occur. His latest poll numbers show him lagging behind Mamdani and Cuomo, but he still maintains a loyal following among some Republicans who feel disillusioned with the Democratic Party.
, man. I remember back in the day when the Guardian Angels were makin' waves, and now here's the mayor of NYC runnin' on a hardline anti-crime platform? That's some crazy stuff! 
Curtis Sliwa is definitely shaking things up in NYC... I mean, it's crazy to think that someone from the streets is taking on the city's mayoral election 
. His grassroots campaign and unapologetic rhetoric are for sure drawing attention, but I'm not sure if he's got what it takes to win 
. I've heard mixed reviews about the Guardian Angels - some people see them as community heroes while others think they're just a bunch of vigilantes 
. Either way, Sliwa's message is resonating with some voters who are fed up with the city's handling of crime 
. His proposal to hire more NYPD officers and overhaul the affordable housing program might be a winning strategy for him... but we'll have to see how it all plays out 
.
.
- from working at McDonald's to leading the Guardian Angels, talk about taking matters into your own hands 
. but seriously, I'm curious to see how he plans to address the affordable housing crisis - seems like a pretty tough nut to crack 
...or is it just more of the same old noise? I mean, his rise to fame was pretty much built on controversy and policing out 'troublemakers', sounds like a whole lotta vigilante-ing to me 
. And let's not forget that shady past of his - who really wants a leader with that kind of track record? 
! Sliwa's rise to fame as a vigilante leader has definitely given him a strong connection with NYC's streets and politics 
. Love how he's taking on the status quo and shaking things up in the Republican field 
.
. But on the other hand, his history with the Guardian Angels is super problematic 
. I'm all for being a community hero, but not at the expense of innocent lives 
.
... anyway, did you know that there's this new app that lets you order food from any restaurant in the city and have it delivered to your doorstep? It's so convenient! But, on a more serious note, I wonder if the Guardian Angels ever thought about the long-term effects of their actions. Like, what happens when they're not around anymore? 
. He's got people on both sides of the aisle talking, that's for sure. As a NYC resident myself, it's crazy to see someone who's not afraid to stir the pot and challenge the status quo 
. I mean, sure, his past with the Guardian Angels has some major baggage 
. If he can get that right, maybe, just maybe, he'll surprise everyone 
.
) will tell!
. I don't trust this guy one bit 
and what about affordable housing? seems like he's just throwing money at it without a real plan.