‘Jews are in absolute panic’ – Orthodox Jewish leader shifts NYC mayoral endorsement

Former state assemblyman Dov Hikind drops his endorsement for Republican Curtis Sliwa in the New York City mayoral election, endorsing independent candidate Andrew Cuomo.

By World Israel News Staff

Former New York State Assemblyman and prominent Orthodox Jewish community activist Dov Hikind has withdrawn his endorsement of Republican mayoral candidate Curtis Sliwa and formally announced his backing for independent candidate Andrew Cuomo.

Hikind, a longtime Democrat who bolted the party in 2023 after leaving the New York State Assembly in 2018 after 36 years in office, enthusiastically endorsed Sliwa last month in the New York City mayoral race.

In a two-minute video statement endorsing Sliwa, Hikind mocked calls to rally behind Cuomo, arguing that Sliwa was the most viable candidate to defeat Democratic nominee Zohran Mamdani.

“As far as the latest person we all have to join…the former governor. He had to resign being governor. So now let’s give him the job of being the mayor, and he ran in the primary and he lost and it wasn’t even close,” Hikind said. “I don’t believe that people are ultimately going to vote for Cuomo.”

On Sunday night, however, Hikind reversed course, posting on X that he has shifted his endorsement from Sliwa to Cuomo, despite his misgivings about the former Democratic governor.

“As difficult as it is for me to post this video, I must face the reality as I see it,” Hikind wrote.

“I endorsed Curtis Sliwa, and while I never thought I’d say this, I am now asking that you vote for Andrew Cuomo. Why? Because if Mamdani wins, the very future of New York City is at stake.

“You don’t have to love Cuomo. I’ve been clear about how I feel about him. This election though isn’t about who we like. It’s about saving New York City from Mamdani. Save NYC. Vote Cuomo.”

Speaking with The New York Post, Hikind said Mamdani was not only antisemitic but also a “threat” to the city.

“I don’t want New York to disappear. Mamdani is a threat to the well-being of every New Yorker. He will destroy New York.”

“The Jews I know are in an absolute panic,” Hikind added.

With eight days until the November election, Mamdani now leads by double digits in every poll.

The RealClearPolitics rolling average of polls shows the Democratic frontrunner with an average of 47.0%, followed by Cuomo at 29.8%, and Sliwa with 16.0%.