Eleventh hour push to save New York

New Yorkers who believe that a win by Democrat Zohran Mamdani in the Nov. 4 mayoral election would be a city-dooming event, have stepped up eleventh-hour efforts to prevent election of the anti-Israel socialist.
Last-minute appeals to Jewish voters to support independent candidate Andrew Cuomo, the only viable alternative to Mamdani, include key supporters of red-beret-wearing Curtis Sliwa who have turned against the Guardian Angel.
Former Boro Park Assemblyman Dov Hikind, one of Sliwa’s longest and strongest supporters in the Jewish community, flipped on Sunday.
“I have nothing but good things to say about Curtis,” Hikind told the NY Post. “But at the end of the day it’s very clear that Curtis can’t win.”
“I am now asking that you vote for Andrew Cuomo. Why? Because if Mamdani wins, the very future of New York City is at stake.”
Hikind added: “You don’t have to love Cuomo. I’ve been clear about how I feel about him. This election though isn’t about who we like. It’s about saving New York City from Mamdani.”
Even Sliwa’s friend, supporter and boss at WABC Radio, Gristedes-owner John Castimatidis, endorsed Cuomo, after failing to convince Sliwa to drop out.
Last week, billionaire investor Bill Ackman, an outspoken advocate of Jewish interests during the antisemitic surge in the US, said he believed Sliwa was refusing to quit the race because those close to him were benefiting from millions of dollars poured into his campaign through the city’s campaign finance program. The program matches many contributions 8-to-1 (with a $100 contribution to a qualified campaign netting the campaign $800).
It was reported that Sliwa’s wife draws one of the highest salaries in the campaign. If Sliwa withdraws from the race, he might have to return some of those funds after a post-campaign audit.
“The personal greed from Sliwa’s campaign staff jeopardizes the future of what once was America’s greatest city,” the right-wing Washington Examiner opined on Tuesday.