City Council's supportive statement for Sliwa potentially contravenes City Charter guidelines
The New York City Council Minority Delegation has endorsed Republican mayoral nominee Curtis Sliwa in the general election, a move that has sparked controversy due to potential violations of ethics rules. The endorsement, made by Minority Leader Joann Ariola, was made on council letterhead, which contravenes the New York City Charter and previous decisions by the Conflicts of Interest Board.
The Charter prohibits elected officials from making endorsements in their official capacity. Individual members may endorse candidates personally, but not as representatives of the Council or using Council resources or letterhead. The endorsement letter criticized the Adams administration and Zohran Mamdani, suggesting that Mamdani would not offer a drastic change from the status quo that has allegedly destroyed the city. It was also stated that the city has been falling under the grip of a one-party machine, and a five-way race is an opportunity to break through.
The endorsement is a show of unity for the caucus that has faced moments of dysfunction and division. However, it has raised ethical concerns due to its official nature. The Conflicts of Interest Board would evaluate whether the endorsement is a violation before potentially referring it back to the council Committee on Standards and Ethics. It's not clear whether the council would take immediate action on the matter.
The ethical concerns raised by the endorsement were addressed by Ariola in a statement to City & State. She argued that the endorsement did not constitute "expressed advocacy" under State rules since it did not explicitly ask for votes. However, this rationale remains controversial given the Charter’s clear restrictions.
If found in violation of ethics rules, the Council Minority Delegation could face official reprimands or sanctions, which might include public censure or other penalties deemed appropriate by the Board. This could also lead to political backlash or legal challenges that undermine the delegation’s credibility or standing.
The endorsement is part of a citywide coalition aimed at winning the election on November 4th. Sliwa is honored to have the full support of the New York City Council Republican delegation in the mayoral race. However, the ethical implications of the endorsement remain a topic of discussion.
[1] Source: City & State New York, "New York City Council's Republican Delegation Endorses Mayoral Candidate Curtis Sliwa on Council Letterhead," 1 October 2025.
- The New York City Charter prohibits elected officials from making endorsements in their official capacity, yet the Council Minority Delegation's endorsement of Curtis Sliwa, made on council letterhead, raises ethical concerns as it potentially violates these rules.
- If found in violation of ethics rules, the Council Minority Delegation, having endorsed Sliwa on council letterhead, could face official reprimands or sanctions, which might include public censure or other penalties deemed appropriate by the Conflicts of Interest Board, potentially leading to political backlash or legal challenges that undermine the delegation’s credibility or standing.