Billionaire grocer and WABC owner John Catsimatidis warned Monday that New York City is “at a tipping point,” calling Andrew Cuomo the only candidate capable of restoring order, as former NY Governor David Paterson joined the Upper East Side press conference

Billionaire businessman and 77 WABC Radio owner John Catsimatidis headlined a pro Andrew Cuomo press conference Monday morning across from Robert F. Wagner Middle School, urging New Yorkers to “unite behind common sense” as the city’s high-stakes mayoral race intensifies. Catsimatidis and his wife, Margo, went to cast their vote for Cuomo at the school upon the conclusion of the press conference.

The event, joined by former NY Governor David Paterson, retired NY Criminal Court Judge Richard Weinberg, and former Corrections Union president Norman Seabrook, was organized by Catsimatidis to show support for Cuomo’s candidacy and to warn voters that the city is “at a tipping point” on crime, housing, and quality-of-life issues.

NEW🚨NYC Mayoral Race Presser

“I never threatened Curtis Sliwa’s job if he didn’t drop out. I’ve supported the Guardian Angels for 40 years,” said billionaire businessman John Catsimatidis during a press conference this morning alongside former New York Governor David Paterson.… pic.twitter.com/K10t3uHIZV

— Lauren Conlin (@conlin_lauren) October 27, 2025

Catsimatidis took aim at rumors that he pressured or threatened Curtis Sliwa, founder of the Guardian Angels and fellow WABC host, to withdraw from the mayoral race. “I want to make this absolutely clear: I never threatened Curtis’s job..never, ever,” Catsimatidis said firmly. “I’ve supported the Guardian Angels for forty years. Curtis is my friend and he’s done great things for this city. My only concern is saving New York.” He also added that just a few weeks ago, he encouraged him to stay in the race and improve his polling numbers. “But at a certain point, you say, guys, we don’t want to lose New York. That’s what it comes down to. We don’t want to lose New York…that’s the bottom line,” Catsimatidis said.

He went on to stress that his appeal for party unity was rooted in realism, not rivalry. “This election isn’t about Democrats or Republicans. It’s about survival,” he said. “We’re losing New York. People are scared, small businesses are closing, and families are moving out. We need a leader who can fix things now, not ten years from now.”

Catsimatidis praised Cuomo’s administrative experience and management skills, describing him as “a guy who knows how to run a government.” “You don’t have to love Andrew Cuomo,” Catsimatidis said. “But you’ve got to respect that he gets things done. He’s tough, he’s smart, and he knows how to bring people together.”

The longtime grocery magnate, whose WABC Radio has become a major political platform in New York, said he worries about the direction of the city under far-left influence.
“We can’t let extremists take over,” he warned. “They want to turn New York into something unrecognizable—no police, no bail, no accountability. We need leadership that cares about all New Yorkers, not just the loudest voices on Twitter.”

Catsimatidis ended his remarks with a simple plea: “I love this city. I was an immigrant kid who came here with nothing. I built my business here. And I don’t want to see it destroyed by bad policies. It’s time for common sense to come back to City Hall.”

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Former NY Governor David Paterson, who served as Eliot Spitzer’s lieutenant governor before taking office in 2008, praised Cuomo’s record but said he is still undecided about whom he will support. “I think this may be the most impactful election the city has ever had,” Paterson said. “We’re facing real issues: affordable housing, unemployment, public safety. We can’t make promises we can’t keep or raise hopes we can’t fulfill.” Catsimatidis noted that he feels Paterson will ultimately support Cuomo. Paterson and Cuomo have a complex relationship, with Paterson publicly criticizing Cuomo in the wake of the sexual harassment allegations that led to his resignation as Governor of New York.

Retired NY Criminal Court Judge Richard Weinberg, a familiar voice on WABC’s “Cats Roundtable,” delivered a fiery speech endorsing Cuomo and condemning rival Zohran Mamdani. “Mamdani is a clear and present danger to New York,” Weinberg declared. “He stands for policies that will destroy the city…defunding police, taxing the middle class to death, and handing out everything for free. It doesn’t work. The productive people flee, and the rest suffer.”

Weinberg added that backing Cuomo was about “protecting the city we love,” concluding, “Any vote for anyone but Andrew Cuomo is a vote for the destruction of the city.”

Norman Seabrook, the longtime head of the Correction Officers’ Benevolent Association, said Cuomo’s return could restore balance between the city’s workforce and its leadership.

“Andrew Cuomo understands the struggles of the working class,” Seabrook said. “We may not agree with everything he’s done, but we know he’s there to protect the pensions and the benefits that city workers fought for.”

Early voting for the 2025 General Election in New York City began on Saturday, October 25, and continues through Sunday, November 2. Election Day is on Tuesday, November 4, 2025.