Curtis Sliwa Projected To Win Republican Mayoral Primary

NEW YORK CITY — Longtime New York City public figure Curtis Sliwa is projected to win the Republican mayoral primary.

Early results showed Sliwa with 71.9 percent of votes, or 24,457 total, prompting NY1 to call the race for him.

His rival and former friend Fernando Mateo had 28.1 percent.

Sliwa, during his victory speech, cast himself as a pro-police populist. He promised to take handcuffs off police and put them on criminals.

"I am the man who relates to the average people in this city — the homeless, the emotionally disturbed, those who have been forgotten," he said.

The city is becoming increasingly Democratic and Sliwa likely would face an uphill battle in November. But Sliwa promised to make the race competitive and represent all New Yorkers, including animals — he touted his animal rescue efforts and boasted of the 15 rescue cats in his apartment.