Catsimatidis Leads Bipartisan Campaign Against Socialist Mamdani in NYC Mayor Race
With the help of Donald Trump, Catsimatidis is also hoping to recruit Eric Adams, Andrew Cuomo, and Curtis Sliwa.
NEW YORK — In a rare bipartisan scramble, leaders from both major U.S. parties are plotting to derail Democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani's bid for New York City mayor this November, with Greek-American billionaire John Catsimatidis at the epicenter.
A September 3 New York Times report reveals Catsimatidis, a grocery and oil tycoon, discussed the race with his longtime friend, President Donald Trump. "He's very concerned," Catsimatidis said. "This is for all the tea in China. This is serious."
The strategy centers on convincing embattled Democratic Mayor Eric Adams and Republican Curtis Sliwa to exit, clearing the path for moderate Democrat Andrew Cuomo, a third-party candidate who lost the June primary to Mamdani. Polls show Mamdani leading with 30-40% support, Cuomo at 20-25%, and Sliwa in single digits.
Trump advisors have floated federal jobs for Adams and Sliwa, leveraging Adams' past ties to the administration, which dropped corruption charges against him earlier this year. Real estate moguls and Cuomo allies are also involved, given Cuomo's 40-year acquaintance with Trump.
Sliwa, founder of the Guardian Angels and a former Catsimatidis radio host, denied White House outreach and insisted, "My focus is right here in New York." Catsimatidis could apply pressure, but Sliwa has shown no interest in Washington.
However, election laws complicate withdrawals: ballot deadlines make name removal tough, and voter bases may not shift to Cuomo automatically.
Mamdani decried the maneuvers as "backroom deals" and "corrupt agreements," calling them "an affront to our democracy." He remains confident of victory.
Ironically, some Washington Republicans quietly favor a Mamdani win, viewing it as a chance to brand Democrats as socialists nationwide.
