The race for New York City mayor has taken a dramatic turn this September, with allegations of backroom deals, heated denials, and a commanding lead by a progressive candidate shaking up the city’s political scene. As the November election approaches, the contest has become as much about personalities and scandals as it is about the issues that matter to New Yorkers.
On September 24, 2025, Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa stepped into the spotlight with explosive claims: he alleged that former Governor Andrew Cuomo’s campaign had offered him millions of dollars to drop out of the mayoral race. According to reporting by WABC, Sliwa stated at a press conference, “That’s the way they talk, ‘Come on, Curtis, everybody has their price.’ Curtis Sliwa doesn’t have a price.” Sliwa, known for his outspoken style, insisted that intermediaries connected to Cuomo had pressured him to clear the field in order to consolidate opposition against Democratic frontrunner Zohran Mamdani.
Sliwa declined to name the specific individuals involved, but doubled down on his allegations, telling reporters, “It’s all Cuomo. I know that I’ve had conversations with them. ‘Oh, come on, Cuomo is a flawed candidate, we all know that. But we all have to come together in order to defeat Mamdani.’” The claim sent shockwaves through the city’s political establishment, already on edge as the campaign entered its final stretch.
Andrew Cuomo, who is running as an independent after a tumultuous tenure as governor, swiftly and forcefully denied the bribery accusations. His campaign spokesman, Rich Azzopardi, dismissed Sliwa’s comments in a sharply worded statement: “Curtis Sliwa is a liar and a fraudster, who has admitted to faking crimes for publicity... This is more of the same.” Cuomo’s team emphasized that Sliwa’s history of headline-grabbing antics undermined the credibility of his latest claims.
But Sliwa didn’t stop there. He also suggested, without offering evidence, that incumbent Mayor Eric Adams had been approached with similar offers to exit the race. “I anticipate at any moment Eric Adams will have determined that the price is right and he’ll be bowing out,” Sliwa asserted. Adams, who is also running as an independent in this crowded field, was quick to shoot down the suggestion. Speaking to Eyewitness News, he scoffed, “He’s a clown looking to turn New York City into a circus. I have never been offered anything to leave the race... it’s insulting to suggest otherwise.”
While the accusations and counter-accusations dominated headlines, the numbers tell their own story. The latest polls show a decisive lead for Zohran Mamdani, a Democratic candidate running on a progressive platform. According to a Suffolk University CityView poll conducted between September 16 and 18, Mamdani holds 45% support among likely voters, with Cuomo trailing at 25%, Sliwa at 9%, and Adams at 8%. Three other candidates—Conservative Party nominee Irene Estrada and independents Joseph Hernandez and Jim Walden—collectively garnered just 1% support. Nine percent of voters remained undecided, and 3% refused to answer. The poll, which surveyed 500 likely voters, has a margin of error of 4.4%.
These numbers align with other recent surveys, including a New York Times/Siena University poll and an Emerson College Polling/PIX11/The Hill survey, each showing Mamdani with a commanding double-digit lead over his competitors. The Suffolk poll’s findings suggest that, barring a major shakeup, Mamdani is on track to become the city’s next mayor.
What’s driving this surge? The poll points to the issues at the heart of New Yorkers’ concerns. Affordability tops the list, with 21% of respondents citing it as their primary issue, followed closely by crime at 20% and the broader economy and jobs at 14%. Other concerns include housing (9%), local response to national politics (8%), racism, justice and equality (7%), and schools and education (6%). Notably, a slim majority—51%—said that life in New York City is “somewhat or very unaffordable,” highlighting the economic pressures facing residents.
The poll also revealed that 58% of respondents believe the economy is worse under President Trump, while 23% say it was worse under former President Biden, indicating a complex political landscape shaped by both local and national issues.
Another flashpoint in the campaign has been accusations of antisemitism against Mamdani, which have circulated in some quarters. However, the Suffolk University poll found that 56% of likely voters reject these accusations, suggesting that the charges have not gained significant traction among the electorate.
Amid the swirl of controversy, Mamdani has tried to keep his focus on the issues. When asked about the swirling allegations and the trustworthiness of his opponents, he offered a measured response: “I can tell you that of Andrew Cuomo, Eric Adams and Curtis Sliwa, I trust Curtis Sliwa’s word the most. I think it speaks to the fact that New Yorkers deserve to make their own decision as to who should lead this city.” Mamdani’s comments, reported by WABC, seem designed to distance himself from the mudslinging and reinforce his commitment to letting voters decide.
Political observers say the drama may reflect the desperation of trailing candidates in a race that appears increasingly settled. “This poll shows that the issues New Yorkers really care about in this election are affordability, crime, and the economy,” Suffolk University Political Research Center Director David Paleologos said in a statement, according to Nexstar Media. With Mamdani’s lead holding steady across multiple polls, efforts to upend the race—whether through scandal, coalition-building, or last-minute deals—may be running out of time.
Still, in New York City politics, surprises are never off the table. The city has a long history of last-minute upsets, unexpected alliances, and political theater that keeps even the most seasoned analysts guessing. Whether Sliwa’s allegations will have any lasting impact remains to be seen, but for now, the focus appears to be shifting back to the bread-and-butter issues that voters say matter most.
As the campaign enters its final weeks, all eyes are on Mamdani and whether he can maintain his momentum amid the noise. With affordability, crime, and the economy dominating voter concerns, the next mayor will face no shortage of challenges—regardless of how the race’s current drama resolves.
