Curtis Sliwa

Template:Short description Template:Use American English Template:Use mdy dates Template:Promotional Template:Infobox politician Curtis Anthony SliwaTemplate:Efn (born March 26, 1954) is an American radio talk show host and former political candidate. He is the founder and chief executive officer of the Guardian Angels, a nonprofit crime-prevention organization headquartered in New York City. Sliwa was the Republican nominee for Mayor of New York twice. He was defeated both times, first in 2021 by Democratic nominee Eric Adams and by Democratic nominee Zohran Mamdani in 2025.

In 1977, Sliwa founded the safety group "The Magnificent 13" to patrol The Bronx and the New York City Subway overnight. As crime rates spiked across the five boroughs, the group enrolled hundreds of recruits and gained prominence throughout the city. In 1979, it was re-established as the Guardian Angels.<ref name=shi>Shivonne, Adeja (2025). "Everything to know about Curtis Sliwa before NYC mayoral debate". FOX5. Retrieved October 20, 2025.</ref> Since then, his leadership has expanded domestically and internationally, covering fourteen countries and over 130 cities. The Angels specialize in crime prevention, self-defense training, youth mentoring, and homeless outreach.<ref>Pflaumer, Erin (2025). "Why does Curtis Sliwa wear a beret?". Yahoo News. Retrieved October 24, 2025.</ref>

Sliwa has hosted talk shows on local New York radio for over thirty years, on WABC, WNYC, WNYM, and others.<ref>"Curtis Sliwa says he will not return to WABC Radio as talk show host". ABC 7. Retrieved October 24, 2025.</ref> He began his radio career in 1990 on WABC-AM and stayed with the station until the 2025 mayoral election, when he quit during a heated live interview.<ref>Kramer, Marcia (2025). "NYC mayoral candidate Curtis Sliwa says he's done with WABC radio over pressure to leave race". CBS News. Retrieved October 28, 2025.</ref> Shows like Curtis Sliwa Live and Curtis & Kuby in the Morning (with Ron Kuby) have centered predominantly around current affairs from a conservative perspective, often with shock jock humor.<ref>Fandos, Nicholas (2025). "Curtis Sliwa Has the Spotlight. He’s Not About to Give It Up." The New York Times. Retrieved October 28, 2025.</ref>

In addition to his vigilantist history with the Guardian Angels, Sliwa has engaged in protests and civil disobedience on issues regarding crime and immigration.<ref name=shi/><ref>Woods, Amanda (2023). "Curtis Sliwa among at least five arrested during Gracie Mansion protest over NYC migrant crisis". New York Post. Retrieved October 28, 2025.</ref> He has been arrested at least 75 times.<ref name=lano>Laden, Noam (2023). "Curtis Sliwa will be locked up tonight". 77 WABC. Retrieved October 28, 2025.</ref><ref>Louis, Errol (2021). "Curtis Sliwa, a very complicated man". New York Daily News. Retrieved October 28, 2025.</ref> Sliwa refers to himself as a populist and an outsider, focusing solely on right-wing New York politics.<ref name="shi" /> As an influential activist in the city for decades, he has been supported and endorsed by many prominent New York politicians, including Republicans George Pataki, Nicole Malliotakis, and Elise Stefanik, among others.<ref>Campanile, Carl (2025). "Ex-Gov. Pataki predicts Curtis Sliwa can win NYC mayor’s race, all because of the Dem slate". New York Post. Retrieved October 20, 2025.</ref> As a candidate, Sliwa likens himself to former mayor Rudy Giuliani,<ref>"Sliwa reiterates he won’t leave NYC mayoral race with early voting set to begin". Fox News. Retrieved October 24, 2025.</ref> and cites former state governor Pataki as his mentor.<ref name="nyps">"Post Reporters Grill Curtis Sliwa Before Debate: Mayoral Underdog Slams "Socialist" Mess". New York Post. Retrieved October 20, 2025.</ref> His campaigns have highlighted law and order, public safety and policing, poverty and homelessness, and widespread tax cuts on income and property. He is also an ardent animal welfare supporter.<ref name="shi" /><ref>Kim, CeFaan (2025). "Get to know the candidates for New York City mayor: Curtis Sliwa". ABC 7 New York. Retrieved October 28, 2025.</ref>

Early life and education

Curtis Anthony Sliwa<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> was born on March 26, 1954,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> into a Catholic family of Polish and Italian descent, in Canarsie, Brooklyn.<ref name="Street">Template:Cite news</ref> His mother, Francesca, identified as Italian-American. His father, Chester Sliwa, was a merchant seaman from Chicago who served in the United States Merchant Marine for 46 years.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Both of Chester's parents, Anton and Wanda, were immigrant dairy farmers from Limanowa, Poland, with the original surname spelled Śliwa.<ref name="Apple">Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Adamski, Monika (2025). "Interview: Curtis Sliwa – Republican Candidate for NYC Mayor". Radio Rampa. Retrieved October 29, 2025.</ref> Sliwa has two sisters, Aleta and Maria.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Sliwa attended St. Matthew's in Crown Heights, and P.S. 114 and Bildersee Junior High School, both in Canarsie.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> He later attended Brooklyn Preparatory School, a Jesuit high school, and was class president.<ref name="Louis">Template:Cite news</ref> Sliwa was expelled from Brooklyn Prep for student activism,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> after leading protests against the school's dress code.<ref name="Louis"/> He subsequently attended and graduated from Canarsie High School.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In his youth, he worked as a delivery boy for the Daily News, where he was awarded the title of "Newsboy of the Year" in 1979 and a trip to the White House after he saved several people from a burning building while on a paper route.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="Hester" />

Prior to founding the Guardian Angels, he was the night manager of a McDonald's restaurant on Fordham Road in the Bronx.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Guardian Angels

Guardian Angels in Miami Metrorail, 2001

In May 1977, Sliwa created the "Magnificent 13", a civilian group dedicated to combating violence and crime on the New York City Subway.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> At the time, the city was experiencing a crime wave.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The Magnificent 13 grew and was renamed the Guardian Angels in 1979. The group's actions drew strong reactions, both positive and negative.<ref>Template:Cite newsTemplate:Dead linkTemplate:Cbignore</ref>

Most of the Guardian Angels members were either Black or Hispanic.<ref name="Hester">Template:Cite news</ref> Unarmed, the group required members to train in karate and learn the legal requirements for citizens' arrest before being deployed.<ref>Template:Cite newsTemplate:Subscription required</ref> Sliwa's red beret is a component of the Guardian Angels' uniform.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

In 1981, then-Mayor Ed Koch, a critic of Sliwa and the organization, launched an investigation into the Guardian Angels, which, according to The Washington Post, proved "so positive that the Guardian Angels will soon be awarded some sort of official status."<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Then-Lieutenant Governor Mario Cuomo was a rare early advocate of the organization, being quoted saying "[t]hey are a better expression of morality than our city deserves".<ref name="Hester" />

In the early 1980s, he expanded operations to Buffalo and was often critical of local police policies and practices.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> One incident involved Guardian Angels member Frank Melvin, who was fatally shot in New Jersey by a Newark police officer in December 1981 after an officer claimed they mistook his unzipping of his jacket – to display his Guardian Angels emblem – as a threat.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="Fowler">Template:Cite news</ref> Sliwa claimed that the killing of Melvin – an African American – was racially motivated, and had been done by a white officer who was being protected by the police department, rather than by the Hispanic officer identified as the shooter.<ref name="Fowler" /><ref name="Narvaez">Template:Cite news</ref> An Essex County grand jury cleared both officers of charges related to Melvin's death.<ref name="Narvaez" />

In late 1992, speaking on the Crown Heights riot and related issues to Hasidic Jews, Sliwa said of the difference between Hasids and Black New Yorkers:

"There is no fear that the Jewish community is going to come to the streets and loot and rob and rape," Sliwa said, "When in my lifetime have I ever seen a Hasid grab anyone's pocketbook?"<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

In late November 1992, Sliwa admitted that he and the Guardian Angels faked six early incidents for publicity.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> He admitted to having faked an injury while fighting rapists, the rescue of a mugging victim, and a false allegation that three off-duty transit police officers had kidnapped him. Sliwa explained at the time his stunts were intended to underscore the dangers of the subways. When the Guardian Angels first began patrolling the streets and subways, New York City was experiencing some of its highest crime rates. "I feel the incidents we staged led to some improvements," he said.<ref>David Gonzalez, Police Union To Sue Sliwa Over Hoaxes, The New York Times (November 26, 1992).</ref>

1992 baseball bat attack

In April 1992, Sliwa was assaulted outside his Lower East Side home. He was struck by three men, two dozen times, with baseball bats. Sliwa suffered a broken wrist and head injuries from the assault. Prosecutors later argued that John A. Gotti was behind the attack, presenting evidence in court.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="Street"/>

1992 attempted assassination

On June 19, 1992, Sliwa was kidnapped and shot by two gunmen after entering a stolen taxi in Manhattan. The taxi picked up Sliwa near his home in the East Village, and a gunman hiding in the front passenger seat jumped up and fired several shots, hitting him in the groin and legs. The kidnapping was foiled when Sliwa leaped from the front window of the moving cab and escaped. Sliwa underwent surgery for internal injuries and leg wounds.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

John A. Gotti (middle) in a Federal Bureau of Investigation surveillance photo

Federal prosecutors eventually charged John A. Gotti, the son of Gambino crime family leader John Gotti, with attempted murder and racketeering. Prosecutors claimed that Gotti was angered by remarks Sliwa had made about Gotti's father on his radio program. After three attempts to try him, on September 20, 2005, three separate juries could not agree to convict Gotti on any of the charges brought against him, and the charges were dropped. Jurors later told reporters they believed he had a role in Sliwa's shooting.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Prosecutors declined to re-try Gotti and dismissed the charges against him. Sliwa said he would seek damages in civil court.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Michael Yannotti, a Gotti associate, was also charged with shooting Sliwa in the incident but was acquitted.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

2020 clash with looters

In June 2020, during a riot in the SoHo neighborhood following the death of George Floyd, Sliwa and several Guardian Angels engaged in a clash with looters while trying to prevent them from robbing a Foot Locker store. Roughly 300 looters were present, variously armed with baseball bats, claw hammers, lock cutters, and machetes.<ref name="Fox"/> Some of the looters began detonating fireworks and throwing blunt objects at the Angels, including glass bottles and bricks. Sliwa was treated at Bellevue Hospital for a linear fracture of the jaw, while fellow Guardian Angel Aram Sabet suffered a broken eye socket and broken nose. Sabet received 48 stitches.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="Fox">Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Media career

Sliwa in September 2007

Sliwa (right) and Ron Kuby (left) with U.S. Representative Gary Ackerman (center) in 2005

Sliwa has been a radio broadcaster for three decades, most of that time on WABC-AM, where he began his career in 1990. In 1994, the then city-owned and operated WNYC hired Sliwa, whom WABC had released. Some, including Sliwa,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> have suggested that he was given access to the station by newly elected Mayor Rudy Giuliani, whom he had supported in the 1993 mayoral race.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

As a political conservative, Sliwa has hosted various radio talk shows on WABC since 1996.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> His longtime broadcast partner was lawyer Ron Kuby, with whom he hosted the "Curtis & Kuby" weekday radio show at noon on WABC-AM in New York City.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In 2000, Sliwa and Kuby became the co-hosts of the long-running Curtis and Kuby in the Morning, which lasted eight years before Citadel Broadcasting replaced them with Don Imus.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

The Curtis Sliwa LIVE program began national syndication on December 1, 2008.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> WABC retained Sliwa until November 2009, when his show was cancelled after a contract dispute.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> He hosted both the morning and evening "drive time" shows on WNYM-AM 970,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> but as of January 2, 2014, Sliwa returned to WABC, replacing Rush Limbaugh, who moved to WOR-AM.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Starting in June 2017, Sliwa's co-host was attorney and television commentator, Eboni Williams.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> His most recent co-host was Juliet Huddy, who joined the show in February 2019.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

In April 2018, Sliwa's radio show was temporarily suspended after making lewd comments about Democratic city-council member Melissa Mark-Viverito. He described Mark-Viverito as "extraordinarily hot" and said that he has fantasized about having sex with her. Sliwa also added "Melissa I'm [your] papi, right?"; while also claiming he had sex with three other members of the City Council.<ref name="Melissa">Template:Cite news</ref> Mark-Viverito criticized Sliwa on Twitter, attacking him as sexist.<ref name="Melissa"/> Sliwa later apologized for the comments, describing them as "a parody, or a satire". In May 2018, NY1 announced that Sliwa's radio show would be unsuspended.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

After officially declaring his candidacy in March 2021, Sliwa's radio program went on hiatus.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> His programs once again went on hiatus upon the announcement of his second candidacy in February 2025.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

In October 2025, Sliwa and John Catsimatidis, WABC-AM's owner, got into a heated on-air shouting match. Catsimatidis repeated his calls for Sliwa to drop out of the 2025 NYC mayoral election, in order to help boost Andrew Cuomo's chances of beating Zohran Mamdani in the election. This led to Sliwa attacking the station and immediately quitting WABC. Sliwa told Sid Rosenberg, "You will never see me in the studios of WABC again. Never. No matter how this election turns out".<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Political career

In 2007, Sliwa announced an intention to reinvigorate New York City's Republican party, and possibly run for office.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In 2013, Sliwa endorsed Republican candidate John Catsimatidis for mayor.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

In September 2016, Sliwa and Frank Morano launched a successful hostile takeover of the Reform Party of New York State.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The Party lost its ballot access in the November 2018 elections.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

2021 mayoral campaign

Sliwa's 2021 campaign logo

Sliwa announced on March 8, 2020, that he would run for mayor of New York City in 2021 as a Republican.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

The primary race turned Sliwa and Fernando Mateo, once friends, into bitter rivals.<ref name=Fitzsimmons>Emma G. Fitzsimmons, How the GOP Primary for Mayor Turned 2 Friends Into Bitter Rivals, The New York Times (May 25, 2021).</ref> The Manhattan, Queens, and Bronx Republican parties endorsed Mateo, while the Staten Island and Brooklyn Republican parties endorsed Sliwa.<ref name=Fitzsimmons/> Sliwa criticized Mateo for donating to the 2017 re-election campaign of Mayor Bill de Blasio, a Democrat, and also accused Mateo of breaking the law; Mateo replied that Sliwa's accusations were bogus and shameful.<ref name=Fitzsimmons/><ref name="BENITEZ">Template:Cite news</ref>

During the campaign, Mateo and Sliwa clashed over loyalty to former president Donald Trump.<ref name=Honan>Katie Honan, Republican Mayoral Candidates Tussle Over Trump, Party Loyalty, The Wall Street Journal (May 26, 2021).</ref><ref name=5Takeaways>Dana Rubinstein, Jeffery C. Mays, Jazmine Hughes, Anne Barnard, Michael Gold and Mihir Zaveri, Wiley Wins the Progressives: 5 Takeaways From the NYC Mayor's Race, The New York Times (June 7, 2021).</ref> Mateo voiced support for Trump's claim that he won the 2020 presidential election;<ref name=5Takeaways/> by contrast, Sliwa did not support Trump in either 2016 or 2020<ref name=Honan/><ref>Emma Seiwell, Race for Mayor: Republican Primary A Two-Candidate Race, Gotham Gazette (May 7, 2021).</ref> and does not support Trump's election denial.<ref name=5Takeaways/> The unofficial results showed Sliwa winning by 72 to 28 percent.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Sliwa ran on a platform opposing the defund the police movement, supporting a property tax overhaul so that working-class residents would not pay higher property taxes than wealthy citizens, keeping in place the Specialized High Schools Admissions Test while increasing opportunities for vocational training in charter schools, and focusing on fiscal restraint.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> He also opposed the killing of unwanted animals and supported making all animal shelters no-kill shelters, pointing to his own home life with 16 cats.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Sliwa campaigned on beginning a trial program to test out the feasibility of universal basic income in New York City.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Sliwa lost to Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams in a landslide defeat in the general election on November 2, 2021,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> with Adams winning just over two-thirds of the votes. Sliwa conceded that same night, calling for unity in order to save New York City.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

After his loss, he brought two cats outside the Brooklyn home of Adams in January 2023, after the latter had been fined for rodent violations, and suggested that feral cats could address the rodent problem in the city.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

2025 mayoral campaign

Sliwa's 2025 campaign logo

On February 13, 2025, Sliwa announced his candidacy to run for mayor of New York City in 2025, again as a Republican.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> During his candidacy, he apologized for past statements<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> regarding the city's Hasidic population<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and criticized ICE's detainments of immigrants coming to courthouses for appointments<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and deportation without due process: "everybody gets due process in the United States."<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

A mid-July 2025 poll of registered NYC voters found Sliwa coming in third, with 13%.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The pattern has continued into early September, with Sliwa placing third, after Democratic nominee Zohran Mamdani and independent candidate Andrew Cuomo, but ahead of incumbent mayor Eric Adams.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Throughout the election, Sliwa rejected calls for him to exit the race in order to help defeat Mamdani, including pressure from Trump and, Sliwa said, from billionaires who had offered to pay him to drop out.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

In spite of strong opposition from various billionaires and national Republicans to stay in the race, Sliwa received support from most GOP leaders in the five boroughs.<ref>Anuta, Joe (2025). "Give me candidacy or give me death: GOP nominee holds firm in NYC mayoral race". Politico. Retrieved October 28, 2025.</ref><ref>Fanelli, James (2025). "Republican NYC Mayoral Candidate Curtis Sliwa Faces Pressure to Drop Out". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved October 28, 2025.</ref> In response to Andrew Cuomo calling Sliwa a "spoiler" and saying that "Curtis will make Mamdani a winner", Sliwa stated, "I suggest Andrew Cuomo come off his high horse. If he wants to win this election, go out and campaign for your voters."<ref name=edcu>Cuevas, Eduardo (2025). "Republican Curtis Sliwa pressured to drop NYC mayoral bid to defeat Zohran Mamdani". USA Today. Retrieved October 28, 2025.</ref>

It was debated whether or not Sliwa ending his campaign would have helped in boosting Cuomo's campaign and defeating Zohran Mamdani. An AARP poll conducted in October showed Cuomo with 41% against Mamdani's 44% if Sliwa were to step aside, within the poll's margin of error.<ref name=edcu/> Sliwa firmly rejected this poll and many others throughout the campaign, saying, "I don't believe in polls. I believe you have to have a get-out-the-vote effort."<ref>"Curtis Sliwa still sees a path to becoming mayor of NYC | CNN Political Briefing". CNN. Retrieved October 28, 2025.</ref> A spokesperson for the Sliwa campaign has said, "The overwhelming majority of Sliwa supporters would not touch Andrew Cuomo with a ten-foot pole."<ref name=edcu/> Sliwa, having consistently rebuked calls to drop out, voted for himself on the first day of early voting on October 26; he urged his supporters to show up for early voting as well.<ref>Oreskes, Benjamin (2025). "As New Yorkers Flood Early Voting Sites, Undecideds Become Prized Target". The New York Times. Retrieved October 28, 2025.</ref>

Sliwa received 7.2% of the vote, placing behind both Cuomo, and Mamdani who won the election with over 50% of the vote.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Political positions

Sliwa at a press conference in October 2025

Sliwa is considered a populist Republican unaffiliated with the MAGA movement.<ref>"Curtis Sliwa Sees a Path to Becoming NYC's Mayor". CNN. Retrieved October 24, 2025.</ref><ref>Reisman, Nick (2025). "Curtis Sliwa is Mr. Not A Politician". Politico. Retrieved October 24, 2025.</ref> He supports ranked-choice voting,<ref name="Vital"/> same-sex marriage, separation of church and state,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> pro-choice stances, gun control,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> and is sympathetic to the idea of implementing universal basic income in New York City.<ref name="Apple"/> Fiscally, he supports launching a property tax against major New York institutions (including Madison Square Garden, Columbia University, and New York University),<ref name="Apple"/> yet wants to alleviate taxes on individual New Yorkers, including no property tax for elderly homeowners, and a five-year moratorium on income tax for those graduating from college who stay in the city.<ref>"Curtis Sliwa: Trump made fun of my cats — but here’s why he’s wrong". Fox Business. Retrieved October 20, 2025.</ref> He opposes vaccine mandates, critical race theory,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> congestion pricing, and sanctuary cities.<ref name="Vital">Template:Cite news</ref>

Sliwa is a staunch supporter of the New York City Police Department (NYPD).<ref name=nyps/> He opposes the defund the police movement, Black Lives Matter, and no-cash bail; he additionally wants to recruit thousands of new officers for the city.<ref name="Vital"/> He is in support of stop-and-frisk measures implemented by previous mayors, including Rudy Giuliani, but is opposed to a daily quota of stops per officer.<ref>Raskin, Sam (2021). "Eric Adams, Curtis Sliwa have heated exchange over stop-and-frisk during mayoral debate". New York Post. Retrieved October 22, 2025.</ref> Sliwa additionally is against the closing of Rikers Island's prison facilities, which the New York City Council voted for in 2019.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Sliwa has campaigned on converting the tens of thousands of vacant rent-controlled apartments and commercial spaces in New York City into affordable housing, as opposed to building further units.<ref>Epstein, Kayla (2025). "Five takeaways from NYC mayoral debate as Mamdani and Cuomo clash". BBC. Retrieved October 23, 2025.</ref> He is in favor of school choice and expanding access to charter schools in the city, in addition to prioritizing job-readiness and financial literacy throughout city classrooms.<ref>"Curtis Sliwa's Plan to Fix NYC's Education System". Sliwa for NYC. Retrieved October 25, 2025.</ref>

Throughout time, Sliwa has gone back and forth in his opinions on President Donald Trump, saying he has a "love-hate relationship" with him.<ref>Coen, Susie (2025)."Why won't Curtis Sliwa stand aside?". Yahoo News. Retrieved October 30, 2025.</ref> The two men have known each other for decades as prominent New York City conservatives. In 2013, Sliwa had Trump as a guest on his WABC radio program.<ref>Brown, Haley (2025). "Trump brutally assesses Curtis Sliwa's chances of becoming NYC mayor, declares 'would rather have a Democrat than a Communist'". New York Post. Retrieved October 30, 2025.</ref> In December 2019, Sliwa declared in an interview that Trump was a "screwball and a crackpot".<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In February 2021, weeks after Trump left office, Sliwa switched his registration from the New York Reform Party back to the Republican Party.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Sliwa has stated that he did not vote for Trump in the 2016 or 2020 presidential elections.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> He did vote for Trump in 2024.<ref>Bash, Dana (2025). "President Trump hasn't endorsed the Republican running for NYC mayor. Curtis Sliwa tells Dana Bash why he doesn't mind.". CNN. Retrieved October 30, 2025.</ref> In the 2025 campaign, he has said, "[Trump] should stay out of [New York politics]", choosing to run a localized and grassroots campaign.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Trump himself has never endorsed Sliwa, referring to him during the 2025 campaign as, "not exactly prime-time" and instead endorsed Andrew Cuomo for mayor.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Marcelo, Philip (2025). "Trump dismisses cat-loving NYC Republican mayoral candidate Curtis Sliwa as 'not exactly prime time'". ABC 7. Retrieved October 30, 2025.</ref>

In August 2025, he criticized Mayor Eric Adams for failing to solve the city's rat problem, despite Adams having appointed a "Rat czar" in 2023. Sliwa suggested that feral cats let loose in the city would be a more effective way of dealing with rats than the current methods employed.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> He also said that he would convert Gracie Mansion to a home for animals on death row.<ref>https://www.facebook.com/groups/129167007833948/posts/1975335673217063/</ref>Template:Better source

Anti-illegal immigration rallies and apprehension

In late August 2023, Sliwa, along with four other organizers, were arrested after an anti-illegal immigration rally outside Gracie Mansion. Police issued a desk appearance ticket on misdemeanor charges of resisting arrest and obstruction, but the Manhattan district attorney's office declined to prosecute. Sliwa had been arrested at several previous rallies.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> As of 2023, Sliwa has been arrested 77 times.<ref name=lano/>

In February 2024, Sliwa and other Guardian Angels apprehended a New York man, claiming that he was an immigrant and claiming that migrants had "taken over,"<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> during a segment on Fox News.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The man was issued a summons for disorderly conduct, as police described him as "acting in a loud and threatening manner on a public sidewalk". No Guardian Angels were charged in regard to the incident.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Personal life

Sliwa at a Toronto gathering in July 2006

Sliwa is a Catholic, while his two sons with Melinda Katz are Jewish.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Sliwa is a noted animal lover; he has cared for as many as 17 cats, but as of September 2025 was down to 6.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> During his 2025 mayoral campaign, he said he believed there was an underestimated population of animal-loving voters in New York City who his mayoral candidacy would resonate with.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Sliwa has competed in multiple eating contests.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="Food">Template:Cite web</ref> In 1994, Sliwa won the Carnegie Deli's annual sour pickle-eating contest, becoming world champion.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Sliwa has also competed in Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest, ranking third in both 1994 and 1996, eating 13 hot dogs both times.<ref name="Food"/><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

In 2010, Sliwa was diagnosed with prostate cancer, which he announced publicly on AprilTemplate:Nbsp20, 2011.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> That September, he underwent robotic surgery and had the cancer removed.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Relationships

Sliwa has been married four times.

Koren Drayton

Sliwa wed his first wife, Koren Drayton, in 1975. The couple divorced just one year later. Little is publicly known about Drayton, other that she is Caribbean-American, was from the Virgin Islands, and lived in Brownsville. Sliwa has stated that he has not spoken to Drayton since their divorce.<ref name="Drayton">Template:Cite news</ref>

Lisa Evers

Sliwa wed his second wife, Lisa Evers, on Christmas Eve 1981. He became infatuated with her after she accidentally broke his foot and dislocated his knee at Guardian Angel demonstrations.<ref name="Red">Template:Cite news</ref> They divorced in 1994; Sliwa has stated that their relationship began to fall apart following Gotti's attempted assassination on his life.<ref name="Drayton"/>

At the time of their marriage, Evers was the National Director of the Guardian Angels<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> and co-hosted a WABC-AM radio show called Angels in the Morning. She is also a martial arts expert, holding a black belt in Karate,<ref name="Red"/> who briefly trained with the World Wrestling Federation in 1986.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Mary Paterson

In 2000, Sliwa married his third wife, Mary (née Galda), a former WABC employee who also served as the Guardian Angels' national director.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> They have one son, Anthony, born circa 2004.<ref>Template:Cite newsTemplate:Dead linkTemplate:Cbignore</ref> They divorced in 2012, after she accused him of infidelity.<ref name="Drayton"/> In 2019, she married former New York State governor David Paterson and took his surname.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Sliwa and Paterson have both stated that they have kept in contact following their divorce, and maintain a good relationship.<ref name="Drayton"/>

Melinda Katz

Sliwa was in a relationship with Melinda Katz, the Queens County District Attorney. Unlike Sliwa, Katz is a member of the Democratic Party.<ref name="Drayton"/> The pair first met in 1993, but didn't begin dating until much later. They later dated for two years, having their first date in Rockefeller State Park Preserve.<ref name="Drayton"/> In 1998, after Katz had an ovary removed, she asked Curtis to serve as a sperm donor to her, to which he agreed.<ref name="Drayton"/>

The pair reconnected in 2011,<ref name="Drayton"/> and Sliwa separated from her in 2014; they have two children together, conceived in vitro over the previous five years.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In court documents, Sliwa's ex-wife, Mary, accused him of diverting money to Katz while still married to Mary, as part of a plan to build a "nest egg" with Katz prior to moving in with her.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Nancy Regula

On JulyTemplate:Nbsp5, 2018, Sliwa wed his longtime girlfriend, animal activist and attorney Nancy Regula, at the Howe Caverns.<ref name="Regula">Template:Cite news</ref>

Regula is a licensed attorney, animal rights activist, member of the Guardian Angels, and political candidate. In 2018, she was the Reform candidate for New York Attorney general election;<ref name="Regula"/> she finished with 0.4% of the vote. In 2021, she was the Republican candidate for the New York City Council, District 6 election; she finished with 13.2%.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Filmography

Acting roles

Year	Film	Credited as
1998	The Siege	Newscaster
2005	Soft Money	Himself

In popular culture

• We're Fighting Back (1981): A TV movie from Lou Antonio, loosely inspired by Sliwa and the Guardian Angels. Sliwa was unhappy with the film, and unsuccessfully filed a lawsuit against Highway Pictures for $5 million. He described the film as "materially false, fabricated and misleading."<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

• Vigilante: The Incredible True Story of Curtis Sliwa and the Guardian Angels (2018): A documentary covering Sliwa's life in the Guardian Angels.

• Saturday Night Live - Season 51, Episode 4 (2025): Comedian Shane Gillis portrays Sliwa in a sketch.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Further reading

• Paterson, David (2020). Black, Blind, & in Charge: A Story of Visionary Leadership and Overcoming Adversity. New York: Skyhorse Publishing.

External links

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