The energy inside the American Legion Hall Post 131 was electric as the Whitestone Republican Club hosted its latest monthly meeting, drawing a standing-room-only crowd to hear from a powerful lineup of speakers, including mayoral hopeful Curtis Sliwa.
The April gathering, known for its lively patriotism and grassroots enthusiasm, kicked off with a patriotic prayer from Rabbi Bovit and rousing speeches from civic leaders, capped off by Sliwa’s dynamic address outlining his path to victory in the 2025 New York City mayoral race.
Council Member Vickie Paladino, the club’s president and local political powerhouse, warmed up the crowd with updates on her own campaign and scathing commentary on Democratic contenders, including “radical-left dream candidate” Zohran Mamdani and former Governor Andrew Cuomo. “He killed our kids’ education, our small businesses, and 15,000 seniors in nursing homes,” Paladino charged. “We cannot let him make a comeback.”
Paladino also reminded attendees about her upcoming State of the District Address on May 1 at Bayside High School and emphasized the importance of voter registration and turnout: “Don’t tell me I’ve got it in the bag—put it in the bag for me!,” encouraging all her supporters and constituents to make sure they come out on Election Day.
Political analyst Nicholas Giordano highlighted the urgency of voter engagement. “Only 20–25% of voters show up in city elections,” he said. “If we can increase turnout by even 10%, we can turn this city around.” Also in attendance was former 3rd district congressional candidate from Nassau County, Mike LiPetri.
Attorney General candidate Michael Henry, who is preparing a second run against sitting AG Letitia James, followed with a policy-heavy speech on crime, taxation, and outmigration. “We’re seeing family separation by affordability,” he warned, pointing to sky-high taxes and energy costs. “It’s time to retire Tish James and bring opportunity back to New York.”
But it was Curtis Sliwa, the Guardian Angels founder and 2021 Republican mayoral nominee, who brought the house down. “I’m not the Manhattan candidate. I’m the mayoral candidate of the outer boroughs,” he declared, vowing to focus on Queens, Brooklyn, Staten Island, and the Bronx.
Sliwa laid out his strategy for a multi-candidate race, noting that he can win outright if he secures 33–35% of the vote citywide. “We’re going to flip Queens red,” he said, citing support from immigrant communities and longtime homeowners fed up with city policy. “The rich dodge taxes, the poor can’t pay taxes, and the rest of us are being squeezed.”
He also took aim at Mayor Eric Adams, now running as an independent under the “Safe Streets and Affordable Living” line. “Neither of those things exists in this city,” Sliwa quipped. “This guy is de Blasio 2.0.”
Touting himself as the “People’s Mayor,” he’s running on a public safety platform that includes, according to Sliwa, hiring 7,000 new police officers for the NYPD and ending the cycle of recidivism. He will hold District Attorneys accountable for releasing violent repeat offenders and remind everyone that it was Cuomo who gave us the current cashless “no jail, no bail” system.
Sliwa closed by highlighting his animal welfare platform, pledging to establish a no-kill shelter system and touting the launch of his independent “Animal Welfare” ballot line.
As the night ended with chants and applause, attendees left energized. The message was clear: grassroots Republicans in Whitestone are mobilized and believe they have a real shot in 2025 to turn Queens red and take back City Hall.
The Whitestone Republican Club meets the second Wednesday of every month at 7:30 p.m. at 1020 Clintonville St. in Whitestone.
