According to Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa, New Yorkers will be “unsafe” if either Andrew Cuomo or Zohran Mamdani becomes mayor, as highlighted in a sharp new TV advertisement that emphasizes public safety issues.
In the 30-second spot released on Monday, the narrator poses the question, “Why are there rapes in broad daylight? Attacks on the subway?”
“Cuomo.”
The advertisement revives a video clip of the former governor expressing his commitment to ending the “cashless bail system” back in 2018.
Cuomo would eventually endorse legislation that significantly restricted cash bail.
In the ad, Cuomo is quoted saying, “We are going to put an end to the cashless bail system once and for all.”
During a speech at the Global Citizens Festival in 2018, he added, “We’re going to make it happen in New York this year.”
The advertisement doesn’t mention Cuomo’s previous comment that a “cashless bail system violates justice” because it disproportionately affects low-income individuals who cannot afford bail.
Cuomo characterized the Rikers Island jail complex as a “hell hole” needing closure.
Moreover, Sliwa’s advertisement stated, “Even worse. Zohran Mamdani seeks to further implement policies favorable to criminals than Cuomo’s.”
“If they take charge, you are not safe,” the ad continues.
“We deserve more,” says Sliwa, who is well-known for founding the Guardian Angels community patrol, in a segment near the ad’s conclusion.
Sliwa’s plan includes increasing the NYPD by adding 7,000 officers.
This advertisement was launched just one day after incumbent Mayor Eric Adams announced he would not pursue re-election as an independent candidate. Other contenders are now trying to attract the moderate supporters of the retired NYPD captain.
Meanwhile, Mamdani, the socialist Democratic nominee who recently defeated Cuomo in the primary, has attempted to distance himself from previous statements advocating for defunding the police and making accusations against law enforcement officers.
Cuomo is currently campaigning on an independent ticket called “Fight and Deliver.”
This ad is part of Sliwa’s $500,000 campaign advertisement buy and serves as a counter to those urging him to withdraw from the race to improve Cuomo’s chances against front-runner Mamdani.
This is Sliwa’s third advertisement launched for the general election taking place on November 4.
In return, Cuomo’s campaign spokesperson Richard Azzopardi responded, asserting, “The cashless bail system remains in effect in New York.”
Azzopardi highlighted that the law has undergone numerous modifications since Cuomo signed it in 2021 to mitigate issues and provide judges with greater authority in detaining repeat or violent offenders.
He also pointed out Sliwa’s past claims of fabricating crimes for personal gain and noted that the Guardian Angels organization lost its tax-exempt status due to various violations.
Cuomo has committed to increasing the police force by 5,000 officers if he wins the mayoralty.
Mamdani’s spokesperson, Dora Pekec, issued a statement saying, “We concur with Curtis Sliwa: Andrew Cuomo is a threat to New York City. Zohran Mamdani is the sole candidate ready to reshape the dysfunctional, billionaire-influenced politics of yesteryear, ensuring a city that is accessible and secure for all residents.”
