Curtis Sliwa, a name synonymous with New York City’s colorful and sometimes chaotic political landscape, is back in the spotlight, dominating trending news headlines across the United States.
Clad in his trademark red beret, Sliwa represents a blend of grassroots activism, media savvy, and populist politics that few public figures can match. His journey from a McDonald’s night manager to the founder of a globally recognized anti-crime organization and a two-time Republican mayoral nominee is a story of vigilante justice, persistent controversy, and relentless ambition.
His presence in the current 2025 NYC Mayoral race has not only energized the Republican base but also introduced an element of unpredictability that could fundamentally alter the outcome of the election.
Who is Curtis Sliwa? The Man Behind the Red Beret
Born in Brooklyn, New York, on March 26, 1954, Curtis Anthony Sliwa began his public life not as a politician, but as a concerned citizen deeply troubled by the escalating crime rates in his city.
He attended Canarsie High School and spent his early working years holding various jobs, including managing a McDonald’s in the Bronx. This everyday exposure to the city’s struggles fueled his commitment to public safety.
The Birth of a Vigilante: Early Years and the “Magnificent 13”
In the late 1970s, as New York City faced a severe fiscal crisis and skyrocketing crime—especially on the subway system—Sliwa took matters into his own hands. He initially formed a small group of volunteers with fellow McDonald’s employees called the “Rock Brigrade” to clean up their community.
This quickly evolved into a safety patrol group he dubbed the “Magnificent 13″. Their mission was simple but daring: to patrol the dangerous subway trains overnight, stepping in where the reduced police force could not.
This small, determined group soon grew into an international movement, rebranded as the Guardian Angels in 1979. Their uniform—the distinctive white T-shirt and red beret—became an iconic symbol of citizen-led crime prevention.
Under the leadership of Curtis Sliwa, the Guardian Angels expanded far beyond New York, establishing chapters across the US and internationally, engaging in youth mentoring, self-defense training, and homeless outreach.
The Guardian Angels: A Legacy of Citizen Patrol
The impact of the Guardian Angels is undeniable. They filled a critical public safety void, earning the support of many New Yorkers who felt abandoned by city government. However, the group and its founder have always courted controversy, thriving on high-profile actions and media attention.
Controversies and Confessions: Staged Incidents and Criticism
Sliwa’s career has been marked by a series of dramatic incidents. In the early 1990s, he made a startling confession: he admitted that several of the Guardian Angels’ early, high-profile “successful crime-busting activities,” which had earned them immense publicity, were actually hoaxes.
These staged events included the alleged kidnapping of Sliwa by transit police and the rescue of alleged mugging and rape victims. He claimed these stunts were necessary to raise awareness about the genuine crisis of crime in the subways.
Another significant life-threatening controversy involved the Mafia. Sliwa, known for using his radio platform to criticize public figures, had publicly slammed Gambino crime family boss John Gotti. In 1992, Sliwa was shot several times in a suspected mob hit after entering a taxi near his home. He managed to escape, but the incident highlighted the very real danger his activism and outspokenness attracted.
A more recent controversy, which contributed to his current trending status, occurred in 2024. Sliwa and other Guardian Angels members were captured on live television physically accosting a man they wrongly accused of being a “migrant” and a shoplifter. The incident was later debunked by the NYPD, who confirmed the man was a local resident with no evidence of shoplifting. Such incidents keep Curtis Sliwa in the media’s glare, whether positively or negatively.
Political Ambitions and the Road to City Hall
Beyond his role as an activist, Curtis Sliwa has established a long career as a radio talk show host on various New York stations. He uses his platform to champion a populist, right-wing perspective on local politics, styling himself as an “outsider” who understands the city’s streets better than career politicians.
His foray into major electoral politics solidified when he ran as the Republican nominee for Mayor of New York City in 2021. Despite losing the general election to Democrat Eric Adams, he secured a significant percentage of the vote (around 27.8%).
The 2025 NYC Mayoral Race: A ‘Wild Card’ in a Crowded Field
The 2025 Mayoral race is why Curtis Sliwa is consistently trending. New York City is an overwhelmingly Democratic stronghold, making a Republican victory highly improbable. However, the current race is unusually fractured, featuring:
- Zohran Mamdani: The frontrunner and Democratic nominee (a democratic socialist).
- Andrew Cuomo: The former Governor of New York, running as an Independent.
- Curtis Sliwa: The Republican nominee, also running on the “Protect Animals” party line he created.
The current situation has created intense political pressure on Sliwa. Influential figures and billionaire investors, like Bill Ackman, have publicly urged Curtis Sliwa to drop out of the race. The argument is that Sliwa’s continued candidacy splits the conservative/centrist vote with Andrew Cuomo, which only increases the chances of the left-leaning Zohran Mamdani winning.
Sliwa has steadfastly refused to withdraw, often citing that the voters, not “billionaires or the professional political class,” should decide the outcome. His defiance and constant media presence keep the race, and his name, in the national news cycle.
The Personal Life of Curtis Sliwa
| Aspect | Detail |
| Full Name | Curtis Anthony Sliwa |
| Born | March 26, 1954 (Brooklyn, New York, U.S.) |
| Key Role | Founder & CEO of the Guardian Angels |
| Political Party | Republican (also ran on the Reform and Protect Animals Party lines) |
| Mayoral Candidacies | Republican Nominee for NYC Mayor (2021, 2025) |
| Media Career | Longtime Radio Talk Show Host (WABC, WNYC, etc.) |
| Marriages | Married four times (Koren Drayton, Lisa Evers, Mary Galda, and Nancy Regula) |
| Trademark Look | Red Beret |
| Key Controversy | 1992 attempted mob hit; 1992 admission of staging Guardian Angel incidents; 2024 false accusation incident. |
| Animal Activism | Prominent animal rights advocate; often seen campaigning with his rescue cats. |
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Conclusion
Curtis Sliwa is more than just a political candidate; he is a cultural fixture in New York City, a symbol of vigilantism, and a master of self-promotion. While his chances of winning the mayoral race remain slim in a Democrat-heavy city, his refusal to concede ground and his ability to draw media attention have made him arguably the most impactful third-place candidate in recent memory.
Whether he is patrolling the subways, hosting a radio show, or defying political pressure, Sliwa’s voice will continue to shape the conversation around crime and governance in the Big Apple.
FAQ
Q1: What is the Guardian Angels organization?
The Guardian Angels is a non-profit international crime prevention organization founded by Curtis Sliwa in 1979 in New York City. Its volunteers patrol streets and subways, recognizable by their red berets, to deter crime and assist citizens.
Q2: What political party is Curtis Sliwa running for mayor under?
Curtis Sliwa is the Republican Party nominee for the 2025 New York City mayoral election. He is also running under an independent line called the Protect Animals Party.
Q3: Why is Sliwa being asked to drop out of the 2025 Mayoral race?
He is facing pressure, primarily from supporters of Independent candidate Andrew Cuomo, to drop out. The theory is that Sliwa’s conservative vote share is splitting the non-Democratic vote, which benefits the Democratic frontrunner, Zohran Mamdani.
Q4: Was Curtis Sliwa ever attacked?
Yes. In 1992, Sliwa was shot multiple times in a suspected mob hit orchestrated after he criticized Mafia boss John Gotti on his radio show. He narrowly escaped the attack.
Q5: Did Curtis Sliwa admit to faking any Guardian Angels incidents?
Yes, in 1992, Sliwa confessed that several of the early, highly publicized crime-busting incidents attributed to the Guardian Angels were hoaxes. He claimed this was done to generate publicity and draw attention to the real crime crisis.
Q6: Does Curtis Sliwa have a background in media?
Yes. Aside from his activism, Curtis Sliwa has had a long and prominent career as a local talk show host on New York radio stations, including WABC and WNYC, for over thirty years.
Q7: What is Curtis Sliwa’s connection to animal rights?
Sliwa is an active animal rights advocate. His home is known to house numerous rescue cats, and he created his own “Protect Animals” party to include this platform in his political campaigns.
Q8: Who did Curtis Sliwa lose to in the 2021 NYC Mayoral Election?
He lost the 2021 general election to the Democratic nominee, Eric Adams.
