Rudy Giuliani Endorses Fellow Republican Curtis Sliwa for New York City Mayor, Taking Aim at Cuomo and Mamdani in Fiery Message
Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani has thrown his support behind Curtis Sliwa, the outspoken Republican and founder of the Guardian Angels, in the race for New York City mayor. The endorsement, delivered during Giuliani’s appearance on Sliwa’s podcast, has sparked waves of reaction across political circles as the two longtime New Yorkers joined forces to challenge the city’s Democratic stronghold and call for what they described as “common sense leadership.
Giuliani, who served as mayor from 1994 to 2001 and gained international attention for his leadership after the September 11 attacks, praised Sliwa as a “fighter who understands New York like no one else.” Declaring, “My choice is 100 percent Curtis Sliwa,” Giuliani framed the endorsement as both personal and symbolic, marking his continued commitment to reform-driven Republican candidates even as the party faces a steep climb in the city’s deep-blue political landscape.
Curtis Sliwa, known for founding the Guardian Angels in 1979 — a volunteer crime-prevention group recognizable by its red berets — has long positioned himself as a voice for working-class New Yorkers frustrated by crime, taxes, and what he calls “political hypocrisy.” Sliwa’s campaign focuses heavily on public safety and accountability, echoing Giuliani’s “law and order” message that once defined his own mayoral legacy. The endorsement is seen by analysts as an attempt to energize Republican voters and independents who remember the Giuliani era as one of stability and control during a turbulent time in the city’s history.
Giuliani didn’t stop at praise. In typical fashion, his remarks included sharp criticism of Democratic figures such as former Governor Andrew Cuomo and State Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani. He accused both of pushing policies that, in his view, have weakened public safety and alienated moderate voters. “These people don’t represent the New York I know,” Giuliani said, referring to what he called “ideological extremism” in city politics. While Cuomo has largely remained on the sidelines following his 2021 resignation, Mamdani has become a vocal progressive leader advocating for housing reform and social justice initiatives that critics say have gone too far left for many New Yorkers.
The endorsement drew immediate reaction online, with Sliwa supporters celebrating the show of unity from two recognizable conservative figures. On social media, clips from the announcement quickly circulated, earning both praise and pushback. Supporters hailed it as a moment of clarity for frustrated New Yorkers who feel their city has become unmanageable. Detractors, however, dismissed it as political theater, questioning whether Giuliani’s influence still resonates beyond the Republican base.
Giuliani, now 81, remains one of the most polarizing figures in American politics — a man whose reputation as “America’s Mayor” after 9/11 evolved into a more controversial chapter during his time as an ally to former President Donald Trump. Yet his voice still carries weight in New York, especially among older voters who credit him with reducing crime and restoring order in the 1990s. His endorsement of Sliwa is viewed as both a political gesture and a personal mission to keep his brand of conservative populism alive in a city where Republican victories have become increasingly rare.
For Sliwa, the timing couldn’t be better. His campaign has been steadily gaining attention among disillusioned moderates and working-class residents who see his message as a call for balance amid growing political polarization. “We’ve gone from bad to worse,” Sliwa said recently. “New Yorkers deserve a leader who will stand up to the political machines and fight for the people who make this city run.”
As the race intensifies, Giuliani’s endorsement injects a mix of nostalgia and defiance into the contest — a reminder of a time when New York Republicans commanded real influence and when law-and-order messaging could swing citywide elections. Whether that formula still resonates in a city transformed by demographic shifts, economic strain, and years of progressive dominance remains to be seen. But one thing is clear: with Giuliani and Sliwa now standing side by side, the 2025 mayoral race just became a lot louder — and a lot more interesting.
