By: Jared Evan
With the NY Mayoral general election only a scant few weeks away, there has surprisingly been very little excitement in the streets of NYC. For a city rapidly coming back to life after the pandemic, and being governed by an exceedingly unpopular Mayor, there seems to be little interest in the race which will determine the direction of the Big Apple for the next four years. ‘
Until recently, the race has been very, quiet lacking fiery back and forth political rhetoric. However, an interview on the Brian Lehrer Show, Tuesday where Democratic candidate Eric Adams made pointed comments about Republican Curtis Sliwa including accusing him of being a racist, might have quickly changed the tone.
Sliwa’s campaign immediately responded in an online press release stating: “throughout his career, one thing was always certain about Eric Adams — if you disagree with him, you are branded a racist.”
“It doesn’t work with me because I am in the streets, subways, projects, and inner-city neighborhoods where the people of color are Eric, however, is in the suites — the Hamptons, Martha’s Vineyard, Monaco — where the wealthy and elite go”, Sliwa said.
Sliwa is known for the Guardian Angles safety patrol which for decades has had a heavily black and Hispanic volunteer force.
Will this little exchange be a sign of things to come the next few weeks?
There seems to be a general perception that Democratic candidate Eric Adams, is a shoe in. Looking at a recent report from the NY Times focusing on fundraising, it looks like Adams has the backing of political doners.
NY Times reports: Mr. Adams, the Democratic nominee, has raised another $2.4 million since late August, leaving his campaign with roughly $7.7 million to promote his message and to signal strength. Over the course of five weeks, some 700 donors gave him the legal maximum donation of $2,000, according to the latest campaign finance reports released on Friday.
His Republican opponent, Curtis Sliwa, raised roughly $200,000 during the latest filing period and has $1.2 million on hand. Only two people gave him the maximum donation of $2,000.
With heavy fundraising activity, the Adams campaign appears to be taking Sliwa seriously, even though there has been very little excitement about the race.
Sliwa, who has been a NYC fixture known for his crime fighting activism, his attempted assassination by the mafia and his decades of media work on talk radio, may indeed be the most formidable Republican to run in the last 8 years, however people with heavy wallets, do not seem to be taking him seriously.
Early voting in the general election begins on Oct. 23. Mr. Adams and Mr. Sliwa are expected to participate in two debates this month on WNBC and WABC.
