Giuliani Allies Rally Behind Cuomo, Leaving Sliwa Isolated
- Republican-aligned former aides back Cuomo over Sliwa, shifting the mayoral map.
- Concerns about a socialist candidate drive strategic endorsements.
- Votes and optics matter: spoiler fears and consolidated support could decide the race.
Several longtime Rudy Giuliani aides and allies have quietly moved their support to Andrew Cuomo, signaling a pragmatic Republican tilt in the New York mayoral contest. The shift isn’t affection for Cuomo so much as an urgent effort to stop leftward policies that would reshape city budgets and services. This is about math and damage control more than party loyalty.
Joe Lhota, Giuliani’s former deputy mayor and the GOP’s 2013 mayoral nominee, told the New York Post that he’s firmly in Cuomo’s camp after switching his party registration. Lhota framed the choice bluntly. “It’s a choice between a proven manager, a socialist, and a fruit loop,” Lhota told the outlet.
“Of course I’m going to be with Andrew,” Lhota added, making clear this is a tactical pick to block what they see as a risky leftward turn. Anthony Carbonetti, another Giuliani alum, echoed the view while still praising Curtis Sliwa as a “great New Yorker.” Carbonetti warned Sliwa could become a spoiler rather than a winner.
Concerns center on policy proposals like fare-free buses, which critics say would strain a $116 billion city budget and invite unintended consequences. As one adviser put it, fare-free buses could be turned into “mobile homeless shelters,” reflecting fears about public order and fiscal responsibility. These are the practical arguments driving the endorsements.
Former U.S. Attorney General Michael Mukasey also published an op-ed backing Cuomo and warned of “irreversible damage” if a socialist were elected, calling Cuomo “the most viable alternative.” That line of thinking has appeal to conservatives who prioritize stable governance over ideological purity. It’s a classic choice between electability and principle for many voters and operatives.
Mayor Eric Adams’ decision not to run again and President Donald Trump’s public doubts about Sliwa have intensified pressure on Republicans to pick a path that prevents a leftist upset. “Look, I’m a Republican, but Curtis is not exactly prime time,” Trump said on Fox & Friends, capturing the blunt calculus at play. Polling shows Zohran Mamdani with a sizable lead but under 50 percent, leaving room for Cuomo to consolidate Republican and independent votes and alter the outcome.
Rudy Giuliani, now 81, has not formally endorsed anyone, but his circle’s tilt is notable in a crowded field. With endorsements crossing old lines, this race looks less like a neat partisan battle and more like a fight for the city’s future direction. For many conservatives, the question is simple: which option best prevents a radical shift in New York’s governance?
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