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Billionaire investor Invoice Ackman is escalating his commentary on the New York Metropolis mayoral race, claiming Republican Curtis Sliwa’s refusal to exit has pushed Democrat socialist Zohran Mamdani to a 90% likelihood of victory, in response to prediction market information.
Ackman, the founding father of Pershing Sq. Capital, argued that Sliwa staying within the race helps Mamdani safe the win.
On Friday, Ackman posted new Polymarket odds on X displaying Mamdani close to 90% — nicely forward of former Governor Andrew Cuomo and Sliwa.
“It was not Zohran Mamdani’s debate efficiency. It was Curtis Sliwa’s assertion after the controversy that he’s not leaving that has tipped the chances to 90% for Mamdani,” Ackman wrote on X.
Sliwa had mentioned he wouldn’t drop out following the latest debate.
FINAL STRETCH: MAMDANI’S LARGE LEAD SHRINKING AS CUOMO GAINS GROUND IN NYC MAYORAL RACE
Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa greets supporters upon arriving to take part in a mayoral debate, Thursday, in New York Metropolis. (AP Photograph/Angelina Katsanis)
Ackman’s remarks mark a uncommon public foray by a high-profile investor into a neighborhood election. A spokesperson for Pershing Sq. informed Fox Information Digital there was “no extra remark past Ackman’s posts.”
Ackman has supported Cuomo’s unbiased bid and earlier within the week urged Sliwa to exit the race to provide Cuomo “a greater shot.”
Sliwa shouldn’t be backing down. His marketing campaign, in an unique assertion to Fox Information Digital, rejected the concept Ackman or any donor ought to affect the race.
“Billionaires aren’t going to determine the result — it’s the voters. It’s the individuals. Let the individuals determine,” mentioned Maria Sliwa, the candidate’s spokeswoman.
She added, “Cuomo misplaced the first as a Democrat. He’s operating as an unbiased. Curtis is on a significant get together line identical to Mamdani. If something, Cuomo ought to drop out, not Curtis.”
She mentioned Sliwa has all the time deliberate to remain within the race to provide Republicans a alternative.
“This race will not be determined by millionaires, billionaires or skilled politicians. It is going to be determined by the voters on Nov. 4.”
Sliwa’s refusal to exit has develop into a flashpoint within the marketing campaign. Ackman and others say a one-on-one matchup between Cuomo and Mamdani could be extra aggressive.
NEW POLL REVEALS MAMDANI’S LEAD IS SHRINKING AS CUOMO GAINS GROUND IN NYC SHOWDOWN

Unbiased candidate former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, left, and Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa take part in a mayoral debate, Thursday, in New York Metropolis. (AP Photograph/Angelina Katsanis, Pool)
Some polls recommend Cuomo might shut the hole with out Sliwa within the race. However Sliwa’s crew and several other analysts query whether or not his voters would help Cuomo.
Showing Friday morning on “Sid & Buddies within the Morning” on WABC radio, Cuomo accused Sliwa of taking part in spoiler and warned Republicans that staying loyal to him might hand the election to Mamdani.
“Curtis can’t win,” Cuomo mentioned. “No Republican voted to place Curtis on the poll, no Democrat voted to place Curtis on the poll. He was placed on by the get together bosses — the Republican county chairs — as a result of he’s a spoiler. They usually need Mamdani to win.”
Cuomo argued that GOP leaders are backing Sliwa for strategic causes, to not win Metropolis Corridor.
“They’ll take Mamdani and run him across the nation saying, ‘Take a look at how loopy this Democratic Social gathering is — they elected a 33-year-old socialist who’s anti-cop, anti-business, antisemitic.’ It’ll assist them politically, nevertheless it’ll kill the town,” Cuomo mentioned.
He added that voters who help Sliwa are successfully serving to Mamdani.
“You vote for Curtis, simply save your self the time and vote for Mamdani,” Cuomo mentioned. “He’s the candidate of the Republican Social gathering chairs. And what Republicans are going to should determine is whether or not partisan loyalty is extra necessary than loyalty to the town.”
FOX NEWS POLL: UNHAPPY WITH NYC’S DIRECTION, VOTERS FAVOR MAMDANI FOR MAYOR BY A WIDE MARGIN

Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa, left, speaks whereas taking part in a mayoral debate with Democratic socialist candidate Zohran Mamdani, proper, and unbiased candidate former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (not pictured), Thursday, in New York Metropolis. (AP Photograph/Angelina Katsanis, Pool)
Cuomo additionally attacked Mamdani’s public security insurance policies, warning, “You defund the police, you shut Rikers — he’s speaking about releasing 7,000 individuals from Rikers when it closes. There aren’t any new jails. There might be a mass exodus from this metropolis. It’ll by no means be the identical.”
The 2025 NYC mayoral race has drawn nationwide consideration. Mamdani, 33, is a socialist state assemblyman from Queens who upset Cuomo within the Democratic major. If elected, he could be the town’s first Muslim mayor, and he has the backing of Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., and Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt.
Cuomo, 65, is operating as an unbiased 4 years after resigning as governor. He’s making an attempt to border himself as a centrist who can beat Mamdani. Since Mayor Eric Adams dropped out, Cuomo has gained floor in polling.
Sliwa, 69, is finest recognized for founding the Guardian Angels patrol group and has constructed his marketing campaign round crime and quality-of-life points. He gained 27% of the vote within the 2021 mayoral race.
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Ackman’s involvement has sparked renewed curiosity in Polymarket, a prediction web site the place customers guess on political outcomes.
The contract for the NYC mayoral race has already handed $190 million in buying and selling quantity, one of many largest for a neighborhood U.S. election. Ackman’s posts have fueled hypothesis and a surge in buying and selling exercise.
Voters head to the polls Nov. 4.
Polymarket didn’t instantly reply to Fox Information Digital’s request for remark.