Indepedent mayoral candidate Andrew Cuomo requested Brighton Seaside residents for his or her help in an try and siphon conservative Russian voters from Republican Curtis Sliwa on Friday as he seeks to achieve floor on frontrunner Zohran Mamdani.
Within the remaining days of the mayoral election, Cuomo has pitched himself to conservatives and Republicans, arguing the Democratic nominee Mamdani is “dangerous” to New Yorkers and may solely be defeated by him, not Sliwa.
“Curtis Sliwa can only make Zohran Mamdani win,” Cuomo mentioned. “Don’t believe me, believe President Trump, if you’re a Republican. President Trump said Curtis Sliwa is not ready for prime time, and a vote for Sliwa is a vote for Mamdani.”
The ex-governor munched on Russian dumpings at a restaurant within the neighborhood earlier than his remarks. He was launched by Republican Councilmember Inna Vernikov, who derided Mamdani and his politics.
Theodore Parisienne / New York Day by day Information
Andrew Cuomo and Republican Councilmember Inna Vernikov (left) eat Russian dumpings at a restaurant in Brighton Seaside, Brooklyn on Friday. (Theodore Parisienne / New York Day by day Information)
“Aside from the fact that he is a communist and an anti-semite, he has no idea what he’s doing,” Vernikov, who was arrested for carrying a gun to a protest in 2023 earlier than the fees have been dropped, mentioned. Mamdani shouldn’t be a communist, however a democratic socialst, and has come below fireplace for his anti-Israel stance and help for positions which are seen as fostering antisemitism.
Requested whether or not he agreed with Vernikov’s claims, Cuomo mentioned: “I don’t believe the council member said that,” he mentioned. “Antisemitism is a problem in New York City.”
Early voting closes Sunday night, and Election Day is Tuesday. Mamdani, the frontrunner within the race, is poling double digits forward of Cuomo and Sliwa.
On a radio hit with native Russian language station Davidzon radio 620 AM Friday morning, Cuomo invoked President Trump, and promised to nominate extra Russians to senior positions in his administration than any earlier mayor.
“If I win, the Russian community will have more representation in my administration than they have ever had in history,” Cuomo mentioned, urging Russian New Yorkers to vote “so you get attention from the political system.”
Theodore Parisienne / New York Day by day Information
Andrew Cuomo campaigns in Brighton Seaside, Brooklyn with Republican Councilmember Inna Vernikov on Friday. (Theodore Parisienne / New York Day by day Information)
The ex-governor’s foray into Brighton Seaside comes as a brilliant PAC in his help has poured 1000’s into boosting his candidacy in Russian-speaking communities, laying the groundwork for Cuomo amongst these voters by blasting out adverts within the language.
New Yorkers for a Higher Future PAC has over the previous two weeks put not less than $339,048 in direction of TV and radio adverts, canvassing and flyers attacking Sliwa’s candidacy and urging voters to forged their ballots for Cuomo. The PAC has raised $1.6 million in whole.
The group positioned a $36,000 cable tv advert purchase on Thursday that exhibits an older Russian-speaking couple warning of a “very serious danger” in New York Metropolis dramatic uplifting music performs within the background.
“He is experienced, he inspires confidence and we believe he is a worthy candidate for mayor of New York City,” a lady, recognized as “Galina,” mentioned within the advert.
Theodore Parisienne / New York Day by day Information
Andrew Cuomo campaigns in Brighton Seaside on Friday. (Theodore Parisienne / New York Day by day Information)
Daniel Kurzyna, a spokesperson for Sliwa, mentioned Cuomo’s efforts in right-leaning neighborhoods gained’t “move the needle.”
“New Yorkers remember the damage Andrew Cuomo did,” Kurzyna mentioned. “Cuomo doesn’t have an opportunity, and we’ve broad help in South Brooklyn.
“Curtis Sliwa will shock the world.”
