Ray Kelly, the longest-serving commissioner of the New York Police Department (NYPD), publicly endorsed Andrew Cuomo for mayor on September 25, 2023. This endorsement comes as major police unions in New York City have chosen to remain neutral in the mayoral race, a notable departure from previous elections.
During an appearance on the 77 WABC “Sid & Friends” show, Kelly acknowledged his respect for Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa, whom he has known for four decades through the Guardian Angels. Yet, he urged voters to support Cuomo, stating, “It’s common sense now: You have to vote for Andrew Cuomo to have any shot, any chance to defeat [Zohran] Mamdani.” Mamdani, the Democratic nominee, is currently viewed as the front-runner in the race.
Kelly expressed concern over Mamdani’s proposed reforms, suggesting that they would negatively affect public safety. He accused Mamdani of planning to redirect funding from the NYPD to establish a new Department of Community Safety focused on social services and crime prevention programs. “That’s defunding the police,” Kelly asserted. He further criticized the idea of social service workers approaching individuals with mental health issues without police support, labeling it as “pie in the sky” thinking.
Mamdani has tried to mend relations with law enforcement during his campaign. He has distanced himself from previous statements made in 2020, where he labeled the NYPD as “racist, anti-queer & a major threat to public safety.” Currently, he asserts that he would retain Jessica Tisch as police commissioner if elected. However, Kelly believes it would be challenging for Tisch to work effectively with Mamdani due to their differing views on key criminal justice issues.
Cuomo welcomed Kelly’s endorsement, praising him as one of the best police commissioners in the city’s history. According to Cuomo’s campaign spokesman, Rich Azzopardi, “We appreciate his support as Andrew Cuomo fights for the vote of all uniformed members.” Cuomo has pledged to hire an additional 5,000 police officers and keep the jail complex on Rikers Island operational instead of opening new facilities in the boroughs.
In contrast, many law enforcement unions have opted not to endorse any candidate in this election cycle. The city’s police unions are part of the Uniformed Forces Coalition 2025, which includes various police, corrections, and sanitation unions. This coalition had previously supported Mayor Eric Adams during his re-election campaign before he exited the race. As of now, unions like the Police Benevolent Association, which represents beat officers, have also refrained from endorsing any mayoral candidate.
Sources familiar with the situation revealed that representatives from the coalition, which includes the Detectives’ Endowment Association, Sergeants Benevolent Association, Lieutenants Benevolent Association, and Captains Endowment Association, met with both Cuomo and Sliwa but ultimately decided against endorsing either candidate.
The decision by police unions to remain neutral marks a significant shift, particularly as they previously supported Adams in his successful 2021 mayoral bid. In past elections, some unions also backed Republican candidate Nicole Malliotakis for mayor in 2017, though they did not officially support Bill de Blasio when he first ran for mayor in 2013.
Cuomo’s tenure as governor has seen controversies that could affect his current campaign. His endorsement of the state’s cashless bail law has drawn criticism from police unions, who have voiced concerns over his state Parole Board appointees releasing convicted cop-killers.
While the law enforcement coalition has not engaged with Mamdani’s campaign, some union officials continue to express opposition, branding him as anti-police. As the election approaches, the dynamics between law enforcement, candidates, and public safety will play a crucial role in shaping the political landscape of New York City.
