Bill Ackman Claims Curtis Sliwa's Mayoral Presence Deterred Cuomo Voters

Billionaire hedge fund manager Bill Ackman has offered a pointed critique of the recent New York City mayoral election, suggesting that Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa's continued presence in the race negatively impacted Andrew Cuomo's independent bid. Ackman asserted that Sliwa's refusal to withdraw convinced many potential Cuomo voters that the outcome was "a foregone conclusion," leading them to abstain from voting. This sentiment was conveyed in a social media post by Ackman, a known political commentator.

Ackman, a vocal supporter of Andrew Cuomo in the mayoral contest, has previously criticized Sliwa for allegedly splitting the anti-Zohran Mamdani vote. During the contentious campaign, Sliwa, the Republican nominee, faced pressure from some quarters to drop out, with Cuomo's backers reportedly blaming him for fragmenting opposition to the progressive candidate, Zohran Mamdani. Sliwa, however, steadfastly maintained his candidacy, famously using a "Braveheart" metaphor to express his defiance against calls to step aside.

The 2025 New York City mayoral election saw a fiercely contested race, with Andrew Cuomo running as an independent after failing to secure the Democratic primary nomination. Curtis Sliwa, a long-time New York personality, ran on the Republican ticket. The election was marked by significant personal attacks and a high degree of political vitriol, with Mamdani ultimately emerging as a strong contender.

Bill Ackman's financial support for Cuomo's campaign was notable, with the hedge fund manager donating substantial sums to pro-Cuomo groups. This included a $1 million donation to the Defend NYC PAC and another half-million to a separate pro-Cuomo entity. His public commentary often focused on the strategic implications of the various candidacies, particularly how they might affect voter behavior and the ultimate outcome.

The debate over vote splitting, as highlighted by Ackman, is a recurring theme in multi-candidate elections, where a candidate's presence can inadvertently benefit an opponent by drawing votes from a ideologically similar rival. Ackman's tweet underscores a belief that Sliwa's campaign, despite its own standing in the polls, may have inadvertently suppressed turnout for Cuomo by creating a perception of inevitability among a segment of the electorate.