New York City’s mayoral election early voting has entered its fifth day. On October 29, Republican mayoral candidate Curtis Sliwa held a press conference at the Staten Island Ferry terminal at the southern tip of Manhattan. During the event, he encountered volunteers from the Global Quit the Communist Party Center distributing flyers with the slogan “End CCP” outside a subway station. Sliwa graciously posed for photos with the volunteers holding the “End CCP” flyers and exclaimed, “No CCP!”
Throughout his campaign, Sliwa has repeatedly expressed his rejection of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). In an interview with well-known independent media personality Fang Wei on October 26, he revealed his willingness to expose how the CCP attempts to influence candidates with money. Sliwa stated, “I have to tell you, in 2021 when I first ran with Adams, there were people showing up at my Asian events, Chinese events, with red envelopes stuffed with cash. At that time, my campaign assistant said, ‘Don’t take money from these people.’ They claimed it was a Chinese New Year gift, but it was actually a CCP bribe…”
Sliwa emphasized, “I have never taken a dime, yet I have won the vote of the Chinese community, becoming the first Republican in New York history to win the Chinese vote. Because the Chinese understand: wow, Sliwa cannot be bought, he does not take bribes.”
In his long-standing career hosting a talk show on WABC radio, Sliwa openly discussed how the CCP operates in the U.S., mentioning their tactics of bribing elected officials and intimidating Chinese-Americans. He stated, “Red China does not need to invade us, does not need to wage war against us. They understand how to control America – by bribing elected officials and threatening Chinese-Americans living in the U.S.: if you do not obey us, we know exactly where your family lives, which province and village you are from, they will disappear.”
Sliwa’s sister, who advocates for Uyghur human rights, has heard reports from Uyghurs whose family members have been sent to internment camps with no trace. Sliwa emphasized, “This is what Red China is about, they are a menace and the biggest threat to democracy today. I continuously warn Democrats and Republicans: never accept their money. They call it ‘thanks’ or ‘gifts.’ No, if you take money from the CCP, they will control you.”
Drawing examples from his time as Asian Affairs Director for Governor Cuomo, former Deputy Chief of Staff, and senior advisor to Adams, Sliwa highlighted the CCP’s infiltration in New York State and City politics.
There have been discussions among voters having to choose between “the lesser of two evils” between Manhattan and Cuomo. Some note that no Republican has won the New York City mayoral election after Giuliani. However, Sliwa believes that Cuomo’s previous scandals like the sexual harassment case and underreporting of nursing home deaths during the pandemic have weakened his chances. Additionally, Democratic candidate, Manhattan, promising “free buses,” is seen as an empty promise with little credibility. Sliwa has been gaining support among young voters, who seem to favor him over Cuomo.
Sliwa also expressed confidence in his high approval rating among Asian voters. In the previous mayoral election four years ago, he garnered higher votes in the Asian community than Adams did. Over the years, he has consistently stood with the Chinese community against issues like community jails, cashless bail, support for law enforcement, anti-discrimination efforts, and defending the specialized high school entrance exam – a test Manhattan seeks to eliminate.
In a message to Asian voters during an interview, Sliwa stated, “Today’s minorities will be tomorrow’s majority, and your voice deserves to be heard!”