One of Curtis Silwa’s staunchest supporters in the orthodox Jewish community is dropping the Republican and instead backing ex-Gov. Andrew Cuomo in the mayoral race against front-runner Zohran Mamdani.
Americans Against Antisemitism founder Dov Hikind – who formerly represented the heavily orthodox Borough Park and Midwood as a state Assemblyman from 1983 to 2018 – said he flipped because Cuomo offered a better chance at stopping Mamdani, the Democratic nominee.
“I have nothing but good things to say about Curtis. But at the end of the day it’s very clear that Curtis can’t win,” Hikind told The Post of the red-beret wearing founder of the vigilante Guardian Angels.
“I don’t want New York to disappear. Mamdani is a threat to the well-being of every New Yorker. He will destroy New York.”
Hikind claims the Israel-bashing Mamdani is antisemitic for among other things supporting the boycott, divestment and sanctions movement against the Jewish state and vowing to arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanhyau who he has called a war criminal.
“The Jews I know are in an absolute panic,” he said.
He’s had issues with Cuomo over the years and even said he’s “not a good guy” — but far preferable to having Mamdani at City Hall.
“Cuomo is not a good guy but he’s the only one who can stop Mamdani. If it’s Mamdani or Cuomo, it has to be Cuomo,” he said. Cuomo is a Democrat but running as an independent after losing to Mamdani in a crowded ranked-choice primary in June.
“Wake up New York!”
Recent polls show Mamdani with a comfortable double digit lead over Cuomo, who comes in second and Sliwa farther behind in third.
Polls indicate the race would be closer in a two-person contest, but Mamdani benefits from Cuomo and Sliwa splitting the anti-Mamdani vote.
