A surprising political alliance is brewing in New York City as a prominent Republican figure is throwing his weight behind former Governor Andrew Cuomo in the mayoral race. Representative Nick Langworthy, a key player in the New York Republican Party, is actively backing Cuomo’s independent bid, a move designed to prevent a victory for Democratic nominee Zohran Mamdani.
Langworthy frames the decision as a pragmatic one, stating that Cuomo represents the only viable alternative to Mamdani. Despite past political battles and fundamental disagreements with the former governor, he believes Cuomo possesses the experience and capability to lead the city effectively, particularly in a crisis.
The core of Langworthy’s concern centers on what he describes as the threat of “communism” should Mamdani win. He argues that Cuomo, while imperfect, is a far superior choice to a candidate he associates with radical ideologies and a lack of practical governing experience.
This isn’t an isolated incident. Other New York Republicans are also making overtures to voters, signaling a broader effort to rally support around Cuomo. Representative Nicole Malliotakis, who herself ran for mayor in the past, acknowledges Curtis Sliwa as her preferred candidate but concedes that Cuomo has the strongest chance of defeating Mamdani.
The dynamic is complicated by Sliwa’s continued presence in the race. Some question whether his candidacy is a genuine attempt to win or a distraction that could inadvertently help Mamdani. Langworthy subtly challenges Sliwa’s motivations, asking voters to consider if his run is a serious bid for office or a personal endeavor.
Critics of Mamdani fear a split vote between Cuomo and Sliwa could hand him the election. The current polling suggests a tight race, with Mamdani holding a lead, but the situation remains fluid. The ranked-choice voting system adds another layer of complexity to the outcome.
However, not all Republicans are optimistic about preventing a Mamdani victory. Representative Andrew Garbarino believes a Democratic win is almost inevitable, citing the structure of the election system which utilizes ranked-choice voting in the primary but not the general election, a point he considers fundamentally unfair.
The stakes are high as New York City heads to the polls on Tuesday, November 4th. This unexpected Republican support for a former Democrat underscores the deep anxieties surrounding the mayoral race and the future direction of the city.
