On Sunday, July 13th, the waterfront Sky Wise Lounge brought a wave of renewed Republican energy across the outer boroughs as Curtis Sliwa, candidate for NYC Mayor, headlined the high-energy “Brunch on the Bay” fundraiser hosted by New Yorkers First and Friends of Curtis Sliwa.
Bringing together a strikingly diverse crowd — residents from Marine Park, Sheepshead Bay, Gravesend, Queens, Staten Island, and members of the Russian-speaking, Georgian, Jewish, Asian American, Pakistani and millennial/Gen Z communities — all rallied around one unifying purpose: to elect Sliwa as New York City’s next mayor.
A powerhouse lineup of elected officials and community leaders, featuring State Senator Steve Chan; Assemblymen Michael Novakhov, Alec Brook-Krasny and Lester Chang; Brooklyn GOP Chairman Richard Barsamian; Chairman Nikoloz Chkheidze from the Georgian-American Republican Alliance; Qassarr Mustafa, president of the Pakistani-American Republican Party; the Asian-American Republican Coalition; the New York State College Republicans and the Brooklyn Young Republicans.
Emceed by Ron Canterino, the Pledge of Allegiance and a stirring rendition of the National Anthem sung by Mary Clare Smythe set a patriotic tone for the rest of the program. The afternoon continued with rousing speeches, and a video compilation of Sliwa’s decades-long grassroots activism, scenes from the campaign trail meeting with everyday New Yorkers, media appearances and rallies in the outer boroughs captivated the attendees. A celebratory “Sliwa for Mayor” cake capped the day’s excitement as Sliwa happily posed for photos with supporters.
“This isn’t just a fundraiser — it’s a movement,” Canterino said, rallying the crowd with urgency. “We’re standing for New York’s future and standing with Curtis.” The first elected to speak was Novakhov, who welcomed the crowd to his home district and delivered a passionate endorsement: “Curtis has been fighting for this city since the 1970s. He’s not new to the struggle — he’s lived it. We deserve a mayor with common sense. We deserve Curtis Sliwa.”
Spotlighting the rising young Republican voices, Steven Margolis of the NYS College Republicans fired up the crowd: “We have a choice — a crook, a commie, a creep — or Curtis,” referencing Adams, Mamdani and Cuomo. Frank Kopylov of the Brooklyn Young Republicans embodied the new energy behind Sliwa. “We are the youth vote, and we are on the ground fighting for Curtis.”
Speaker after speaker praised Sliwa’s decades of service — leading the Guardian Angels, confronting crime, aiding the homeless and standing with New Yorkers when City Hall failed them. The constant refrain: “Curtis was there.” From Crown Heights to the BLM riots, migrant shelters to subway crime scenes, Sliwa shows up where others don’t. He’s the only candidate opposing the “City of Yes,” which favors developers over outer-borough communities.
Chan recalled, “When the mayor was silent after a deadly Bensonhurst hit-and-run, Curtis was there.” Brook-Krasny praised his deep ties to the Russian-speaking community, “When we needed attention, Curtis was there.” Chang summed it up: “He’s not the candidate of billionaires — he’s the people’s candidate, and when our community was faced with homeless shelter conversions, Curtis was there.”
Barsamian delivered an urgent call to arms: “We need to get out the vote. Curtis has always fought for New Yorkers when others stayed silent — now it’s our turn to fight for him.”
“He knows every block, neighborhood and borough; he’s been shot, beaten, stabbed and still got back up to protect New Yorkers. That’s leadership. He’s never abandoned us; don’t abandon him. Give him the job, he’s earned it,” one of the organizers implored the crowd.
Sliwa, who holds the highest favorability rating of any candidate in the field, addressed the crowd with characteristic fervor. “We’re not the party of the elite. We’re the party of the working middle class. If you want a fighter, a leader, someone who never quit on this city — then vote for me, because I’ve never quit on you.”
With less than four months until Election Day, a July HarrisX poll shows Mamdani at 26%, Cuomo at 23%, Sliwa at 22%, (a statistical tie within the margin of error) and Adams at 13%, with momentum surging behind Sliwa.
Citing strong support from Independents, disillusioned moderate Democrats, former RFK Jr. supporters and groups like Democrats for Sliwa, “Republicans must come home,” Sliwa urged. “This is a four-way race. I need 35%. And I’m your next mayor.”
Attendees, undeterred and determined, picked up their lawn signs, which read “Curtis for Mayor,” and left the event inspired, energized and ready to mobilize.
In closing, Sliwa offered a rallying cry: “If you love your neighborhood … if you want your city back … then vote like it. Talk like it. Fight like it. Vote for Sliwa and let’s save our city!”
