Billionaire investor Bill Ackman is increasing his commentary regarding the New York City mayoral race, asserting that Republican Curtis Sliwa’s choice to remain has given democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani a 90% chance of winning, according to prediction market data.
Ackman, the founder of Pershing Square Capital, claimed that Sliwa’s continued presence in the race is assisting Mamdani in securing the victory.
On Friday, Ackman shared updated Polymarket odds on X indicating Mamdani near 90%, far ahead of former Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Sliwa.
“It wasn’t Zohran Mamdani’s debate performance. It was Curtis Sliwa’s announcement after the debate that he is not withdrawing that has shifted the odds to 90% for Mamdani,” Ackman posted on X.
Sliwa stated his intention to remain in the race following the most recent debate.
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Ackman’s comments represent a rare public entrance by a prominent investor into a local election. A Pershing Square representative informed Fox News Digital that there was “no further comment beyond Ackman’s posts.”
Ackman has voiced his support for Cuomo’s independent candidacy and earlier in the week encouraged Sliwa to withdraw from the race to provide Cuomo “a better opportunity.”
Sliwa is standing firm. His campaign, in an exclusive statement provided to Fox News Digital, dismissed the notion that Ackman or any donor should influence the election.
“Billionaires won’t determine the result — it’s the voters. It’s the people. Let the people decide,” stated Maria Sliwa, the candidate’s spokeswoman.
“Cuomo was defeated in the primary as a Democrat. He’s running as an independent. Curtis is on a major party line just like Mamdani. If anything, Cuomo should withdraw, not Curtis.”
She added that Sliwa has always intended to stay in the race to present Republicans with an option.
“This election won’t be decided by millionaires, billionaires or career politicians. It will be decided by the voters on Nov. 4.”
Sliwa’s choice to stay in the race has emerged as a key issue in the campaign. Ackman and others suggest that a direct contest between Cuomo and Mamdani would be more competitive.
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Certain polls suggest Cuomo could reduce the deficit if Sliwa were not in the race. However, Sliwa’s team and some analysts question whether his voters would support Cuomo.
During a Friday morning appearance on “Sid & Friends in the Morning” on WABC radio, Cuomo accused Sliwa of acting as a spoiler and cautioned Republicans that supporting Sliwa could ensure Mamdani’s victory.
“Curtis cannot prevail,” Cuomo stated. “No Republican voted to nominate Curtis. No Democrat voted to nominate Curtis. He was placed on the ballot by party leaders — the Republican county chairs — because he is a spoiler. And they want Mamdani to prevail.”
Cuomo contended that GOP leaders are supporting Sliwa for strategic purposes, not to win City Hall.
“They’ll embrace Mamdani and promote him around the country saying, ‘Look at how radical this Democratic Party is — they elected a 33-year-old socialist who is anti-cop, anti-business, antisemitic.’ It’ll benefit them politically, but it’ll devastate the city,” Cuomo said.
He added that voters who support Sliwa are effectively aiding Mamdani.
“If you vote for Curtis, just save yourself the time and vote for Mamdani,” Cuomo said. “He’s the candidate preferred by the Republican Party chairs. And what Republicans will have to determine is whether party loyalty is more important than loyalty to the city.”
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Cuomo also criticized Mamdani’s public safety proposals, cautioning, “If you defund the police, you close Rikers — he’s suggesting releasing 7,000 individuals from Rikers upon its closure. There are no new jails planned. There will be a mass departure from this city. It will never recover.”
The 2025 NYC mayoral election has garnered national attention. Mamdani, 33, is a socialist state assemblyman from Queens who defeated Cuomo in the Democratic primary. If elected, he would be the city’s first Muslim mayor, and he has the endorsement of Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., and Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt.
Cuomo, 65, is running as an independent four years after resigning as governor. He is attempting to position himself as a centrist capable of defeating Mamdani. Since Mayor Eric Adams withdrew, Cuomo has gained ground in polling.
Sliwa, 69, is best known as the founder of the Guardian Angels patrol group and has centered his campaign on crime and quality-of-life concerns. He secured 27% of the vote in the 2021 mayoral election.
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Ackman’s involvement has renewed interest in Polymarket, a prediction platform where users place bets on political outcomes.
The contract for the NYC mayoral election has already surpassed $190 million in trading volume, one of the largest for a local U.S. election. Ackman’s posts have triggered speculation and an increase in trading activity.
Voters will head to the polls on Nov. 4.
Polymarket did not immediately provide a response to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.
