10 Questions With Curtis Sliwa

For roughly 45 years, Curtis Sliwa has been a familiar presence in New York City: as the founder of the Guardian Angels, an outspoken radio host and, most recently, a Republican mayoral candidate.

He won nearly 28 percent of the vote four years ago against the Democratic candidate, Eric Adams, and, in a four-way race this year, a similar performance could bring him closer to victory in November.

Some of Mr. Sliwa’s stances align with his party’s talking points, such as his pledge to make the streets and the subway safer. But he does not get along with his party’s leader, President Trump, who dismissed Mr. Sliwa as “not exactly prime time” and teased him for loving cats.

Ahead of the Nov. 4 election, the three leading candidates in the mayor’s race visited The New York Times for interviews. We plan to publish excerpts from those interviews, and this is the first in the series; the conversations have been edited for length and clarity. Mayor Adams, who is running for re-election as an independent and is fourth in the polls, declined to participate.

We asked Mr. Sliwa 10 questions on subjects ranging from thorny policy issues to where he lives, with room for an occasional follow-up.

We’ve written previously about how Mr. Sliwa, 71, wants to be taken seriously, his vow to stay in the race and his complicated history as a public figure in New York.

1. How many police officers should New York City have?

I believe that the Police Department needs about 40,000 police to be effective. [The department’s current budget allows for 35,000 officers.]

I have a plan to hire 7,000 that I believe is imperative to provide the public safety and so that we don’t have to move police around like on a chess board, over and over. Obviously, my specialty is subways. We do not have transit police on the moving subway cars, which you need, because that’s where most of the problems take place.

We definitely need to have far more police in uniform patrolling. I almost never come across police officers in any capacity walking a beat. They’re generally in cars or they’re assigned to a post, and they need to have far more visibility.

2. A new law prevents renters from being forced to pay broker fees. Do you support the law, and do you think it’s working?

I think brokers are entitled to be able to earn something. They have to earn money like everybody else, and they have to go out there and hustle.

You oppose the law?

Yes. I think because of the supply and demand, if you’re hunting for an apartment, you need to pay that fee to a broker. Landlords are overwhelmed with costs because of all the taxes that they have to pay: the property taxes, the fees, the fines that they get hit with by the Department of Buildings.

3. If President Trump sends the National Guard to New York City, what are three specific steps you would take in response?

The National Guard is not needed in New York City. I certainly do not have a problem with the National Guard being dispatched in Washington, D.C. In Chicago, it’s needed there.

I would sit down with the president, or whoever he’s delegated that authority to, and say: “Look, nobody knows more about crimes in the five boroughs and the 350 communities than me. I’ve dealt with it 46 years of my life. The Guard is not necessary here.”

4. Would you accept an endorsement from President Trump?

Look, if the president were to endorse me, obviously he’s the leader of the party, and I’d accept the endorsement. But I don’t see that in the offing.

He certainly has talked with Andrew Cuomo, that he’s known for years. You know, I don’t often agree with Eric Adams, but Cuomo is a snake and a liar. I’d like to strap him up to a lie-detector test.

You’ve said you’re not MAGA. Why not?

A lot of MAGA people support me, but I’ve never totally been aligned with all of the MAGA principles.

What do you disagree with?

January 6th. I just couldn’t believe what I was watching.

5. Federal budget cuts could hurt New York City. If local cuts are needed, what’s one program you would cut?

The Department of Education: $41 billion budget. They estimate now about $42,000 per student is spent. We have 100,000 less students in the system. A huge bureaucracy.

6. Both political parties are having tense debates over what their message should be right now. Name three elected officials from your party who you admire or who you are ideologically similar to.

I would say Representative Nicole Malliotakis. Actually, I helped campaign for her when she first was running for Assembly. Frank Morano, the New York City Council member who has been a protégé of mine. He’s more of a populist. I consider myself a blue-collar, working-class populist. I can’t say a Democrat?

Sure.

Council member Robert Holden, without a question, who I admire.

7. There have been questions about where Mayor Eric Adams lives. Where do you live, and what is your rent?

I live on 73rd between Broadway and West End with my wife, Nancy, and six of our rescue cats. Rent is about $3,500.

8. Yankees or Mets?

Oh, without a doubt, Yankees. All these politicians say half Yankees, half Mets. I’ve seen that with Eric Adams. Please stop that nonsense. You’re one or the other or you’re not a fan at all.

9. Best movie about New York City?

Well, because of my battles with organized crime: “Goodfellas.” That’s where I grew up.

10. How often do you take the subway?

Every day.

Do you usually sit or stand?

Always stand.

If you sat, which of these seats would you choose?

Number five, outside.

Why?

I want to have a peripheral view of everything going on. Five is perfect because you can swivel around.