Curtis Sliwa, the dynamic founder of New York City’s Guardian Angels, an anti-criminal activity patrol group, had put himself in the mayoral race four years back, only to be defeated by Democrat Eric Adams with a wide margin of nearly 40%. Now, he is once again stepping up to the political plate, this time hopeful that the Republicans will embrace the man in the red beret. Three participants from the Democratic party, all seen as divisive figures are anticipated to divide the Democratic votes, which according to Sliwa, can be advantageous for him. He is devoted to sustaining the backing he got last time and plans on persuading additional supporters from the opposition party, assuring them with his stance as an ideal candidate to tackle criminality in the city.
Amongst his opponents is Zohran Mamdani, a 33-year-old state legislator and enthusiastic democratic socialist. Mamdani emerged as the Democrats’ chosen candidate, managing to secure the nomination over former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo in the notably heated primary race. Cuomo, despite being mired in sexual harassment allegations that culminated in his resignation as Governor four years ago, is making an audacious political comeback. Currently, he is running as an independent candidate in the race, seeking a second term.
Sliwa sees himself as the game-changer in this mayoral race, staking his hopes on an issue that proved victorious in the 2021 election period heavily influenced by the pandemic – the question of crime control. Even though the Democratic primary this year was predominantly steered by fluctuating discussions over New York’s steep living costs, Sliwa feels that concerns about increasing crime rates are slowly gaining prominence amongst voters.
Statistical data paints a safer picture of the city. Police reports suggest that crime rates have dipped in most sectors this year. Despite these numbers, Sliwa persists in pushing a narrative of a city plagued by criminal activities. He takes it upon himself to dissect and discuss these statistics, often citing his personal encounters to favor his narrative.
In terms of his public persona, Sliwa shares similarities with President Donald Trump, both being larger-than-life characters. His campaign speeches mirror national Republican topics, critiquing New York’s bail laws and suggesting the utilization of the National Guard in high-crime zones. However, he does not fully subscribe to President Trump’s ideology, having voiced criticism of several of Trump’s policies.
For several years, Sliwa co-hosted a local radio program with the renowned civil rights lawyer Ron Kuby, who is noted for his progressive perspectives. More recently, Sliwa has embarked on a journey to advocate for animal rights. A part of Sliwa’s allure is based on his congenial demeanor, with many perceiving him to be a charismatic person to engage with and be around.
However, potential voters in the city are not blind to Sliwa’s past and the controversies that have followed his self-declared crime-fighter persona over the past decades. There have been incidents where his honesty was put to question. Back in 1992, he confessed to fabricating several early adventures attributed to the Guardian Angels.
In the previous year, Sliwa insinuated that immigrant-related crimes were at the core of the city’s problems. On occasions, he has been caught embellishing or weaving tales around crimes. Despite these inconsistencies, for certain residents, Sliwa’s rhetoric continues to strike a chord.
In a recent public interaction moment, Sliwa found himself face to face with Noemi Molina, a 62-year-old resident of a Bronx neighborhood. Upon seeing him, Molina stood still, her face a mix of surprise and recognition. Sliwa was a familiar figure for her, she has known about him ever since he launched the Guardian Angels, and his frequent media appearances over the decades have ingrained his image in her memory.
Molina’s reaction indicates there might still be an audience for Sliwa’s anti-crime rhetoric. She expressed her intention to support him by casting her vote in his favor. This encounter epitomizes Sliwa’s ongoing fight in the political arena, one where he is continuously striving to make a difference.
The post Guardian Angels Founder Steps up for NYC Mayoral Race Again appeared first on Real News Now.
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