Candidate Cuomo or Mayor Mamdani?

PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK/ RON ADAR

Gracias, Gracie

He took to the steps of Gracie Mansion, the official mayor’s residence, to say goodbye.

Mayor Eric Adams may have proven himself to be the most principled politician in the pack, pulling the plug on his post-primary push for re-election in late September in the hopes of keeping the city out of socialist hands.

The outgoing mayor announced his departure in a social media video filmed on the stairs of Gracie Mansion, alongside a portrait of his mother.

Had he punted on his chances a little earlier, he could have landed a cushy job offered by President Trump in the latter’s efforts to clear the field — rumors included the ambassadorship to Saudi Arabia.

Sliwa: Slower or Sly One?

In a three-way race, polls show Mamdani with a commanding 46%-30% lead over Cuomo, with Sliwa bringing up the rear at 17%. Take Sliwa out of the picture, and Mamdani’s lead is cut to 48%-44% over Cuomo.

So obviously, pressure is building on Sliwa to drop out.

Curtis even claims he’s been offered bribes by wealthy New Yorkers to get him out of the race.

Why is he staying in, when it’s blatantly obvious to every Jewish New Yorker that his 17% vote is helping no one but Mamdani? Because it is just as obvious to Republicans (those without million-dollar businesses in New York City) that there’s nothing to be gained by dropping out.

Jews view a Mamdani win as a real danger to life and security — his rhetoric emboldens a vocal anti-Semitic element. But Republicans have nothing to gain by electing Cuomo over Mamdani. The former governor is a true liberal, and putting him in office only extends liberal control over the city.

Clearing the Field?

While Adams’s voters are likely to fall to the other non-Mamdani Democrat in the race, Andrew Cuomo, Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa would also need to bow out before the former governor can pull within striking distance of the upstart assemblyman.

If you thought Sliwa would take a cue from Adams, you haven’t met the Guardian Angels founder. Minutes after Adams’s adieu video paid homage to his mother, Sliwa posted his own walkie-talkie clip expressing wistful memories of his late father. Strolling through Brooklyn’s John Paul Jones Park in the shadow of the Verrazzano Bridge, he invoked the revolutionary sea captain’s famous missive: “Sir, I have not yet begun to fight.”

The Republican View:

Cuomo Win: Lose-Lose. If he’s successful, Cuomo can win again in four years — and if he fails, Republicans will have to deal with a resurgent Mamdani.

Mamdani Win: Not So Bad. Republican strategy would rather see Mamdani win and the city suffer through four years of mismanagement and disaster, putting them in a better position to make a push in 2029.

Endorsements and Donations

Adams’s exit means more to Cuomo than just picking up his lost voters. It can swing big endorsements and money his way, potentially pushing him past current polling numbers.

Adams’s missive did not openly endorse any candidate and at first obliquely warned against both… but the anti-Cuomo comments were cut from the final statement. He delivered a “warning” against “insidious forces” pushing “divisive agendas.”

“But beware of those who claim the answer is to destroy the very system,” the outgoing mayor said, widely understood as a reference Mamdani.

Looking Ahead

On Cuomo: An advance copy of Adams’s planned remarks sent to the New York Times included a comment that “politicians who waffled on key issues and sought to push others aside in their quest for power cannot be trusted.” But these words were cut from the final video message, possibly setting up an Adams alliance in October for Cuomo. Is Mamdani interested in building bridges with the Jewish community? He has made some overtures, but most appear to have been limited to theatrics. Askanim report that very little in terms of meaningful contact has been initiated.

Politicians in New York City traditionally make use of the High Holidays to reach out to the Jewish community, showing solidarity and even a bit of face here and there. The 33-year-old Muslim did make an appearance on Rosh Hashanah evening, but he chose Kolot Chayeinu. The progressive temple favored by City Comptroller Brad Lander is known for sharp criticism of Israel, still mandates face masks at services, and had no problem relocating to a nearby church to accommodate the larger holiday crowd. Its leader’s sermon that night accused Israel of genocide, and its Hebrew school taught Jewish children to write an apology letter to Palestinians for stealing their land.

Mamdani, accomplished actor and showman, also put out a highly polished Happy Sweet New Year video message, in which he pronounced “Rosh Hashanah” and “shofar” flawlessly, in typical American Litvish havarah; with appropriate references to themes of teshuvah, honey, and… DEI.

Can’t Fight City Hall?

“A potential Mamdani administration is uncharted waters in askanus,” says a prominent askan who works closely with city government. “We’ve never had an executive with quite such a hostile reputation, at least not in New York.”

Askanus goes on, he stressed — along with confidence that a way forward can be found.

Another askan downplayed fears and concerns. “We’ve dealt with real anti-Semites in government before, and cultivated positive relationships such that we were all the best of friends in the end,” he says, citing Rockland County Executive Ed Day as an example. “Hashem runs the world. You can’t fight city hall — and if he’s sitting in city hall, don’t fight him either.”

Mamdani has met with a number of organizations and representatives from several subcommunities, other askanim tell Mishpacha. “He said he’s open to meeting with anyone who is willing to meet with him,” one says. “We have had good conversations. He is meeting with us because he wants to work with the community — he said explicitly that he doesn’t need our vote, and he’s right.”

(Originally featured in Mishpacha, Issue 1082)