Bill Ackman says Curtis Sliwa must drop out of NYC race — or Zohran Mamdani will be next mayor

Billionaire investor Bill Ackman is making waves in the New York City mayoral race by commenting on the potential outcome of the election. Ackman believes that Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa’s decision to stay in the race is benefiting democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani, increasing Mamdani’s chances of victory to around 90%, according to prediction market data.

Ackman has been vocal about his support for former Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s independent bid and has urged Sliwa to drop out of the race to give Cuomo a better shot at winning. However, Sliwa has refused to exit the race, stating that billionaires and donors should not influence the outcome of the election. Sliwa’s campaign believes that the decision should ultimately be left to the voters.

The race has become a contentious issue, with Ackman and others arguing that a one-on-one matchup between Cuomo and Mamdani would be more competitive. Some polls suggest that Cuomo could close the gap without Sliwa in the race, but questions remain about whether Sliwa’s supporters would shift their allegiance to Cuomo.

Cuomo has accused Sliwa of playing spoiler in the election and warned Republicans that staying loyal to Sliwa could ultimately benefit Mamdani. He criticized Mamdani’s public safety policies, particularly his plans to defund the police and close Rikers Island, warning of potential negative consequences for the city.

Mamdani, a 33-year-old socialist state assemblyman from Queens, has gained national attention for his progressive platform. If elected, he would be the city’s first Muslim mayor and has the backing of prominent figures like Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Sen. Bernie Sanders.

Cuomo, who is running as an independent, is positioning himself as a centrist alternative to Mamdani. Since Mayor Eric Adams dropped out of the race, Cuomo has seen an increase in his polling numbers. Sliwa, known for founding the Guardian Angels patrol group, has focused his campaign on crime and quality-of-life issues.

Ackman’s comments have drawn attention to Polymarket, a prediction site where users can bet on political outcomes. The contract for the NYC mayoral race has seen significant trading volume, with Ackman’s posts sparking speculation and increased activity.

As the election date approaches on November 4th, the race remains highly contested, with each candidate vying for the support of voters in the city. The outcome of the election will ultimately be decided by the people, as they head to the polls to cast their votes.