By Phil Orenstein

Curtis Sliwa is our Republican candidate for Mayor of New York City. The Democrats are fractured and demoralized, locked in a bitter struggle between moderates and socialist extremists. Recently, Governor Hochul endorsed Mamdani, while State Democratic Party Chairman Jay Jacobs flatly rejected him. With Democrats in disarray, it is vital that Republicans stand shoulder to shoulder, unite, and rally behind our standard-bearer, Curtis Sliwa, in the most consequential race for New York City’s future in 2025. And he will win.

Curtis Sliwa is the only one of the four mayoral candidates who stands for America, for law and order, for working-class New Yorkers, and for our cherished Republican values. He knows this city, every block of it, and how to run it. For over 40 years he has protected New Yorkers from crime and danger, without seeking a title or financial gain. He nearly gave his life to expose corruption—taking five bullets in an assassination attempt ordered by John Gotti, Jr. Curtis is fearless, principled, and good-hearted. He is the leader who can bring New York City back from the brink.

Even moderate Democrats are beginning to realize this. Our club’s 2nd Vice President, Laura Schmitt proudly displays two Sliwa signs on her Jamaica Estates lawn. She recently shared this story:

“I was …. outside my house when a guy stopped to admire my Curtis signs. He said he was from one of the largest Democrat clubs in Queens and he is voting for Sliwa! He says he is always happy to pass my house seeing those signs and that Sliwa can definitely win. He says normal Democrats like him are voting for Sliwa. They aren’t voting for communist Mamdani, crook Adams, or the self-serving lying Cuomo who gave us bail reform and crime. Democrats are divided. Many will be quietly voting for Sliwa. Republicans just have to stay united.”

This is not the time for hesitation. This message is directed especially to wavering Republicans who are tempted to settle for the “lesser of two evils” between Mamdani and Cuomo. Do not be deceived by skewed polls or the media’s defeatist narrative that Curtis can’t win.

I’ve spoken to some fellow Republicans who say they admire Curtis, but fear Mamdani’s victory if they don’t vote for Cuomo—though they admit they despise him. Some even urge Curtis to drop out. My answer is simple: I will never vote for Cuomo. This is the man who said conservatives aren’t welcome in New York, who declared “America was never that great,” who gave us bail reform and sanctuary state policies, who packed the Parole Board with radicals who freed over 40 cop killers, who caused the deaths of 15,000 nursing home residents, and who resigned in disgrace. Cuomo already lost to Mamdani in the Democratic primary despite every advantage. Why would we give this loser another chance?

I told them that I understand their concern after seeing some of the polls. But frankly, I don’t trust them. Many of these so-called “impartial” polls are skewed toward Mamdani supporters. Don’t be fooled. Before the Democrat Primary, Cuomo was way ahead of Mamdani in all the polIs, some by 10 points or more. I still remember Trump’s first presidential election. Every poll had Hillary winning, right up until Election Day. She was already measuring the drapes in the White House. Yet, we all know how that turned out. And some polls, like the reliable HarrisX poll show Curtis in a statistical tie with Mamdani and Cuomo, with Adams lagging way behind.

Here’s the truth: Mamdani is on the Democratic line. Curtis is on the Republican line. Those are the two lines that matter most to voters. Cuomo is stranded on an obscure independent line that most voters will overlook. This will only split the Democratic vote. Curtis doesn’t need 50%—he needs about 35% to win. With Republicans, Conservatives, independents, and disaffected Democrats, that is absolutely achievable.

A bit of inside baseball: Cuomo already lost to Mamdani in the Democratic primary, even when he had all the advantages. He had backing from every Democratic club in the five boroughs, massive fundraising, wall-to-wall ads, and the national party machine behind him. He still lost. Why give him a second chance to lose? Now, Democrats are fractured, their clubs are divided, and many of their members, especially here in Queens, are switching over to Curtis.

Curtis is the only candidate who can actually beat Mamdani. He knows the city like no one else. He has walked every block, fought for New Yorkers, and protected our communities his whole life. He’ll follow in the footsteps of Mayor Rudy Giuliani, restoring safety and transforming NYC back into the world’s great financial and cultural capital.

The left is pushing a defeatist narrative, trying to convince us Curtis can’t win. Don’t buy into it. Stay positive, stay confident. Remember the Mets’ 1986 miracle comeback: their rallying cry was “You Gotta Believe.” Miracles happen when people believe, and we need that belief now.

I attended the September 11 commemoration at Young Israel of Kew Garden Hills. Curtis spoke before a packed house of more than 300, The Jewish community there is solidly behind him. Support is growing every day.

So, my advice is simple: vote your conscience. Encourage your family and friends to do the same. Don’t give in to fear, fake polls, or the negative noise. Ask yourself honestly: does your conscience tell you to vote for Mamdani or Cuomo? If decent people vote with their conscience, Curtis will win, and together, we will make New York City “a place worthy of G-d and humanity.”

Now many of these doubters are coming around and supporting Curtis Sliwa, the only one who is for the people of New York City!

Phil Orenstein is President of the Queens Village Republican Club, America’s oldest Republican club.