NEW YORK — Republican Curtis Sliwa emphatically rejected claims that his candidacy in the 2025 New York City mayoral race spoiled Andrew Cuomo’s independent bid, ultimately paving the way for Zohran Mamdani’s victory on November 4. Speaking to PIX11 News, Sliwa called such accusations “stupid,” dismissing suggestions that his 7% share of the vote could have changed the outcome.

“Even if every person who voted for me voted for him — the prince of darkness still wouldn’t have won,” Sliwa said, vividly labeling Cuomo in reference to the former governor’s controversial tenure. The “prince of darkness” remark underscores a longstanding personal feud, rooted in Cuomo’s resignation in 2021 amid multiple scandals and Sliwa’s own activism with the Guardian Angels against corruption.

Election analysts agree with Sliwa’s assessment, noting that Mamdani captured over 50% of the vote, meaning that even a complete consolidation of the Republican base behind Cuomo would not have reversed the result. Nevertheless, some Cuomo supporters had argued that Sliwa’s candidacy siphoned votes that could have made the race more competitive — a theory Sliwa vigorously disputes.

The comments reflect not only Sliwa’s defiance but also the lingering tensions between him and Cuomo, highlighting the former governor’s tarnished reputation among certain voter segments and the enduring influence of grassroots political activists in New York City politics.