Curtis Sliwa Refuses to Drop Out of NYC Mayoral Race: ‘Under No Circumstances’

Curtis Sliwa made it crystal clear Tuesday morning that he has no plans to end his run for New York City mayor, despite mounting pressure from political insiders to back out and clear the path for Andrew Cuomo.

“So, let’s be very clear: I am not dropping out, under no circumstances,” Sliwa said defiantly at a press conference. “I’ve already been offered money to drop out, I said no.”

The remarks came just one day after billionaire businessman and WABC radio owner John Catsimatidis—who also happens to be Sliwa’s boss—publicly urged him to bow out of the race to consolidate support behind Cuomo in a last-ditch effort to stop far-left candidate Zohran Mamdani from taking City Hall.

While Sliwa is currently on leave from his radio gig at WABC, the political tug-of-war has intensified within Republican circles. Despite Catsimatidis’ plea, Sliwa remains defiant and is still enjoying the support of several key GOP figures, including Catsimatidis’ own daughter Andrea, who chairs the New York GOP.

“Republicans across every borough stand united behind Curtis Sliwa for Mayor of New York City,” read a joint statement from the county chairs. “Republican voters are not going to vote for Andrew Cuomo.”

“Curtis Sliwa is our candidate, the credible leader who will defeat the radical left and restore safety, affordability, and common sense to City Hall. He is our candidate to defeat Zohran Mamdani on November 4th.”

Calls for unity in the race have been building for months as party leaders attempt to consolidate opposition to Mamdani, the self-described socialist whose polling numbers have surged across outer-borough neighborhoods. The fractured field of candidates has raised fears among moderates and conservatives that Mamdani could walk into the mayor’s office with a divided opposition.

Sliwa, however, is not budging.

“This isn’t about party politics,” he said. “It’s about fighting for the soul of this city. I’m not going anywhere.”