Bloomberg Talks: NYC Mayoral Candidate Curtis Sliwa on Law and Order

Podcast: Bloomberg Talks
Host(s): Bloomberg Interviewers
Guest: Curtis Sliwa, NYC Mayoral Candidate
Date: October 7, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode features an in-depth interview with Curtis Sliwa, Republican candidate for New York City mayor. The discussion centers on Sliwa’s vision for public safety, fiscal responsibility, homelessness, and other key issues shaping the election. Drawing on his experience as founder of the Guardian Angels, Sliwa tackles the city’s fractured politics, skepticism around polling, and his plans for bridging divides in City Council. The conversation is candid, sometimes combative, and focuses on Sliwa’s unique positioning as a law-and-order candidate in a historically Democratic city.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Polls, Political Dynamics, and the Unpredictable Race

• Sliwa's Polling Position ([01:05])

  • Sliwa notes he's polling just below 20%, attributing this to the small percentage of Republicans in NYC and how independents and animal rights supporters aren't reflected.
  • Quote: “They're just polling Republicans who are only 10% of the electorate… I have an independent line that nobody has factored in. Protect animals. No kill shelters… very popular with women who rescue animals.” – Sliwa ([01:05])

• Skepticism of Polls & Historic Surprises ([02:04])

  • Sliwa argues that polls have been consistently wrong, citing past upsets like his mentor George Pataki’s victory in 1994.
  • He paints a picture of a race in flux, criticizing both Andrew Cuomo and leftist candidate Zoran Mamdani.
  • Quote: “I don't put any trust in these polls. I know what I feel in the streets... Cuomo's whole vote is based on fear. Nobody likes this guy.” – Sliwa ([02:04])

2. Fiscal Policy and Budget Reform

• Tax and Budget Cuts ([03:37])
  • Sliwa claims he is the only candidate proposing real fiscal discipline, targeting tax, budget, and bureaucratic inefficiencies.
  • Plans to cut $10 billion from the Department of Education, reduce bureaucracy, and follow advice from trusted conservatives.
  • Quote: “$118 billion budget for the city, and there are no cuts. Cuomo and Zoran would actually increase it. I would take $10 billion right out of the Department of Education...” – Sliwa ([03:37])
  • Names Rudy Giuliani as his law-and-order model, alongside advisors Larry Kudlow and George Pataki.

3. Navigating the City Council

• Getting Things Done in a Divided City Council ([04:36])

  • Sliwa draws on personal experience, explaining how working with City Council relies on negotiation and discretionary funding.
  • Quote: “It's called discretionary funds... I just want one vote from you, and I get you your discretionary funds. You're looking for a new park. You're looking for a new playground.” – Sliwa ([04:50])

• City Politics as Trade and Compromise ([05:17])

  • Asserts that dialogue, not combat, is needed to pass policies, even with opposition-party council members.
  • Critiques Eric Adams’ impotence versus the City Council.

4. Homelessness, Mental Health, and Public Transit

• Direct Action and Shelter Reform ([05:54])
  • Claims unique credibility for using (and campaigning on) NYC’s subways and buses.
  • Proposes moving homeless and emotionally disturbed out of subways, making shelters safer, and reopening mental health hospital beds slashed under Cuomo.
  • Quote: “I'm the only candidate that actually rides the subways... We need to get the homeless into the shelters, but we have to make the shelters safe now. They're not. It's like Darwinian survival of the fittest.” – Sliwa ([05:54])

5. Minority Outreach and Urban Coalition-Building

• Improving on Republican Performance in Minority Areas ([07:13])
  • Asserts unique Republican reach due to history with the Guardian Angels, who are largely Black and Hispanic.
  • He claims to be polling at 30% in the Bronx, criticizing Democrats for ceding ground to the far left.
  • Quote: “Everybody knows that Curtis Sliwa is a Republican who can go into 350 neighborhoods, in some of which the only Republican they've ever seen is Abraham Lincoln on a five dollar bill.” – Sliwa ([07:13])

6. On Law and Order vs. Progressive Policies

• Position as Law-and-Order Candidate ([07:39])
  • Sliwa sharply differentiates himself from Democrats, saying he offers capitalistic, tough-on-crime governance.
  • Memorable jab: “We live in a city where we're best known around the world for locking up toothpaste and not locking up criminals.” – Sliwa ([07:54])
  • He ties perceptions of public disorder to progressive policies like bail reform and raising the age for adult charges.

7. Immigration and Workforce Realities

• Balanced Approach to Immigration ([08:28])

  • Recognizes migrants as essential to NYC's economy (hospitality, restaurants) and warns against blanket crackdowns.
  • Supports targeting only those committing serious crimes, referencing Trump’s “bad hombres” rhetoric.
  • Quote: “Many of the migrants now are essential workers... If you start snatching them up... you're going to be depleting that workforce.” – Sliwa ([08:28])

• Relationship with Trump ([09:13])

  • Stresses pragmatic, “mezze mezze” cooperation with federal authorities, avoiding all-out confrontation.
  • Quote: “When you have Zoran Mandami and Andrew Cuomo saying I'm going to fight Donald Trump, guess what? You're going to lose... because he holds the purse strings.” – Sliwa ([09:31])

8. Rise of the Far Left and Democratic Party Shifts

• Critique of Democratic Socialists’ Influence ([10:25])

  • Sliwa claims moderate Democrats have “waved the white flag” to progressives/socialists and refuses to yield to them.
  • Quote: “The moderate Democrats are now dependent on Republicans, conservatives, and independents. It's over for the moderate Democrats.” – Sliwa ([10:25])

• Message to First- and Second-Generation Immigrants ([11:26])

  • Asserts law and order is popular even in heavily Democratic, immigrant communities, especially among women concerned with safety on subways.
  • Cites opposition to closing Rikers Island due to concerns about public safety.

9. Campaign Resources and Staying in the Race

• Grassroots Fundraising ([12:47])

  • Proudly emphasizes average donation size ($119) and local matching funds, claiming superior NYC-based support compared to rivals’ out-of-state financing.

• Rejection of Dropout Rumors ([13:23])

  • Dismisses suggestions of dropping out, chiding Andrew Cuomo as the “dropout king,” and contrasts with Trump’s refusal to run from legal or political battles.
  • Quote: “Did Donald Trump flee to Mar-a-Lago... because he was a victim of Lawfare...? No. He showed up in court each and every day. Cuomo is a coward.” – Sliwa ([13:23])

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• On Polls and the Street:
  “I know what I feel in the streets. I'm in the outer boroughs... I have 10 headquarters. I have signage everywhere. I don't see signage at all for Cuomo.” – Sliwa ([02:04])

• On Fundraising Style:
  “I would take the money of the local New Yorker who obviously is putting their reputation on the line when I'm getting an eight to one match...” – Sliwa ([12:47])

• On Women's Safety:
  “The number one number of workers in New York City are women... They go on the subway, they're being sexually harassed... My wife... has done my very first commercial about the plight of women being victims of random attacks.” – Sliwa ([11:47])

• On “Locking up Toothpaste”:
  “We live in a city where we're best known around the world for locking up toothpaste and not locking up criminals.” – Sliwa ([07:54])

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [01:05] – Sliwa on polling, overlooked voters, independent line
• [02:04] – Poll skepticism, Democratic primary upsets, Cuomo vs. Mamdani
• [03:37] – Budget cuts, taxes, and conservative advisors
• [04:36] – Navigating City Council and discretionary funds
• [05:54] – Homelessness, shelter reform, mental health beds
• [07:13] – Minority outreach, Guardian Angels, Bronx polling
• [07:39] – Law and order, critique of Democratic policies
• [08:28] – Immigration, essential workers, targeted enforcement
• [09:31] – Relationship with Trump administration
• [10:25] – Rise of the Democratic Socialists, moderate Democrats’ loss
• [11:26] – Pitch to immigrants, women’s safety on subways
• [12:47] – Grassroots fundraising and campaign viability
• [13:23] – Accusations of rivals dropping out, resilience in campaign

Tone & Style

The interview is fast-paced, streetwise, unapologetic, and often combative, in line with Curtis Sliwa’s public persona. Sliwa leverages local anecdotes, New York City lingo, and directly challenges both his opponents and general narratives about Republican electability in New York. The hosts interject with pointed, sometimes playful questions, but allow Sliwa’s assertive style to drive the conversation.

For listeners seeking a comprehensive understanding of Sliwa's candidacy, this episode offers direct insight into how he frames the big issues of NYC’s politics, his strategies for appealing to non-Republican voters, and his uncompromising stance on law and order amidst a dramatically shifting political landscape.