New York City doesn't do boring elections. But the 2025 showdown between Zohran Mamdani and Curtis Sliwa—with a side of Andrew Cuomo—was something else entirely. It felt like a fever dream. You had a democratic socialist assemblyman from Astoria, a red-beret-wearing Guardian Angel, and a former Governor trying to stage the ultimate comeback.
Honestly, the "vibe shift" was real.
By the time January 1, 2026, rolled around, the city had its youngest mayor in over a century. Zohran Mamdani, at 34, took the oath in a decommissioned subway station. It was peak New York. But to understand how we got here—and why Curtis Sliwa’s 7% of the vote actually tells a bigger story than it looks like—we have to look at the wreckage of the campaign trail.
The Collision Course: Zohran Mamdani vs Curtis Sliwa
When Mamdani announced he was running, people laughed. He was a long shot. Then Eric Adams got hit with federal bribery charges in September 2024, and the field blew wide open. Mamdani didn't just run; he sprinted. He tapped into a deep, bubbling frustration among Gen Z and Millennial New Yorkers who are basically one rent hike away from moving to New Jersey.
Curtis Sliwa, meanwhile, was doing what Sliwa does. He was on the subways. He was talking about "Escape from New York" sequels. He was warning anyone who would listen that a Mamdani victory would turn the city into a "socialist experiment" that would drive out every tax-paying resident.
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The contrast was wild.
- Mamdani's Pitch: $30 minimum wage by 2030, free buses, and a 2% "wealth tax" on millionaires.
- Sliwa's Pitch: 7,000 more cops, no-kill animal shelters, and "improving, not moving."
Why the Polls Were So Messy
If you looked at the Quinnipiac polls back in September 2025, Mamdani was dominating with 45%. Sliwa was hovering around 15%. But the real story was the "enthusiasm gap." Mamdani’s supporters weren't just voting for him; they were obsessed. They were the reason turnout hit levels we haven't seen since the 90s.
Sliwa had his base, too. He swept Staten Island. He did well in the pockets of Queens where people still remember the Guardian Angels of the 80s. But in a three-way race where Andrew Cuomo was sucking up the "moderate" air, Sliwa found himself squeezed.
The Socialist Mayor vs The Guardian Angel
The general election wasn't just a math problem; it was an identity crisis for NYC. Curtis Sliwa spent most of October 2025 warning that Mamdani’s past "defund the police" tweets were a disqualifier. He called the Democratic platform a "provider, not producer" model. Basically, he argued that New York was going to run out of other people's money.
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Mamdani played it smart. He apologized for calling the NYPD racist back in October. He started talking about "community safety" instead of just "abolition." It worked. He won over enough of the "vibe-check" voters to secure 50.78% of the final tally.
The Andrew Cuomo Factor
You can't talk about Zohran Mamdani and Curtis Sliwa without mentioning the man who finished between them. Andrew Cuomo ran as an independent after Mamdani embarrassed him in the June primary. Cuomo took 41% of the vote. That’s a massive chunk.
What’s interesting is that many of those Cuomo voters were the people Sliwa needed. They were the "tough on crime" crowd who just couldn't bring themselves to vote Republican in a city that's 7-to-1 Democratic. Sliwa ended up with about 7% in the final count, a far cry from his 2021 performance.
What’s Actually Happening Now (2026)
Since taking office on January 1, 2026, Mayor Mamdani hasn't wasted time. He signed executive orders revoking a bunch of Eric Adams' old policies. He’s already working with Governor Kathy Hochul on a $1.7 billion childcare plan. It’s a lot.
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But Sliwa hasn't gone away. He's still a fixture on talk radio, and he’s been hammering the new administration over the "Office to Protect Tenants." There’s a lot of drama right now about some resurfaced tweets from Mamdani's appointees regarding private property.
Basically, the 2025 election didn't end the argument; it just changed who has the microphone.
Key Takeaways from the Mamdani-Sliwa Era
- Turnout is King: The 2.2 million votes cast in 2025 proved that New Yorkers will show up if the stakes feel personal. Young voters specifically carried Mamdani to Gracie Mansion.
- The "Safety" Narrative Evolved: While Sliwa focused on "Fear City" and 7,000 new cops, Mamdani’s "Department of Community Safety" focused on mental health teams. The city chose the latter, but the pressure to deliver is immense.
- Affordability Trumps Everything: You can talk about crime all day, but if people can't afford a bagel and a one-bedroom in Sunnyside, they’re going to vote for the guy promising rent freezes.
- The Republican Ceiling: Sliwa’s 2025 run suggests that the "traditional" NYC Republican path is narrowing. Without a massive moderate-to-conservative coalition, the "Red Beret" style of politics struggled to break 10% in a three-way split.
Actionable Insights for New Yorkers
If you’re living in NYC under the Mamdani administration, keep an eye on the Mayor's Office of Mass Engagement (OME). It was established by executive order on January 2nd. It's supposed to be the direct line for public feedback on policy.
Also, watch the bus lanes. One of the first big 2026 projects is the expansion of the Madison Avenue bus network. If you’re a commuter, this is the first real test of whether "Fare-Free NYC" is a pipe dream or a pending reality.
The city is changing fast. Whether you're a Sliwa loyalist worried about the economy or a Mamdani supporter waiting for that $30 minimum wage, the next four years are going to be a wild ride. Keep your MetroCard (or your OMNY) ready.
Next Steps to Stay Informed:
- Check the official NYC.gov portal for updates on the new "Baby Baskets" program for newborns.
- Monitor the Quinnipiac University Polls scheduled for Spring 2026 to see how the "Mamdani Honeymoon" is holding up against reality.
- Follow the City Council's response to the proposed 2% wealth tax, as that will be the defining fiscal battle of 2026.