🚨 NYC Councilmember Frank Morano Vows to Fight Back Against “Radical Left” Policies Amid Mayoral Race

As New York City barrels toward one of its most consequential mayoral elections in years, Staten Island Councilmember Frank Morano is drawing a clear battle line — and he’s not mincing words.

Appearing on One America News (OAN) with Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL), Morano issued a fiery warning against what he described as the “radical left takeover” of city politics — led by Democratic Socialist Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani, now a top contender for mayor.

“I’m not throwing in the towel just yet,” Morano said. “I live in a safe Republican district, but I’m working overtime to make sure every right-leaning voter in my district comes out and votes — not just for me, but against Zohran Mamdani at the top of the ticket.”

The Staten Island lawmaker, known for his blunt rhetoric and media savvy, said he’s ready to mobilize a citywide opposition to Mamdani’s “extreme agenda,” which he claims would cripple New York’s economy and divide its communities even further.

The Flashpoint: A Divided City, a High-Stakes Election

The upcoming mayoral debate — featuring Andrew Cuomo, Zohran Mamdani, and Republican Curtis Sliwa — is being billed as a turning point in a volatile race that has captured national attention.

“Thursday’s debate will be very telling about the direction this race goes in the next two and a half weeks,” Morano told Gaetz. “New Yorkers will finally see what these candidates stand for, side by side.”

The matchup highlights the stark ideological contrasts shaping the city’s political future:

Mamdani, a self-described socialist, has built his campaign around wealth taxes, free transit, and housing as a human right.

Cuomo, the former governor seeking a political comeback, is positioning himself as a centrist alternative.

Sliwa, founder of the Guardian Angels and a conservative populist, is leading the charge from the right.

For Morano, a longtime Staten Island figure known for his grassroots outreach, the stakes couldn’t be higher.

“This isn’t just another election — it’s a fight for the city’s soul,” he said.

Morano’s Promise: ‘Resist Every Radical Policy’

Morano vowed to use his platform — and the legal system — to resist any future Mamdani administration policies he considers unconstitutional or harmful to New Yorkers.

“I’m ready to use the bully pulpit of my office to loudly resist any of his crazy stuff,” Morano declared. “I’m willing to partner with moderate Democrats, both at the city council and state levels, to slow down his more radical agenda.”

He went even further, revealing that his office has already retained an attorney to prepare for potential legal battles.

“We have a lawyer on staff who’s ready to file lawsuits every single time a potential Mayor Mamdani tries to violate the law in pursuit of his radical goals,” Morano said.

The Political Strategy: Building a Bipartisan Wall

While Morano represents one of New York’s most reliably Republican constituencies, his comments signaled a broader strategy of coalition-building.

By reaching out to moderate Democrats and independents, he hopes to create a bipartisan firewall against policies such as:

Tax hikes on the wealthy

“Free-for-all” transit and housing proposals

Police budget cuts and immigration sanctuary expansions

“We may disagree on a lot, but I know plenty of moderate Democrats who still care about law, order, and fiscal sanity,” Morano said. “Those are the people I’m ready to work with.”

Political analysts say this approach could give Morano — and by extension, New York Republicans — a louder voice in a city government dominated by Democrats.

“Frank Morano knows how to play offense,” said political strategist Elena Rivera. “He’s positioning himself as the loud, media-savvy watchdog who will challenge every overreach. It’s the Staten Island model — populist, combative, and unapologetically anti-establishment.”

Mamdani’s Rise — and Republican Alarm Bells

Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani, who represents Astoria, Queens, has quickly become a polarizing figure in New York politics.

A proud member of the Democratic Socialists of America, he’s made headlines for proposing fare-free buses, a tax on the top 1%, and massive public investment in housing and healthcare.

His critics — Morano chief among them — warn that such ideas would bankrupt the city and drive out businesses already struggling under high taxes.

“If Mamdani becomes mayor, expect a mass exodus,” Morano warned. “He’ll turn New York into San Francisco overnight — and that’s not a compliment.”

Still, Mamdani’s campaign continues to energize young voters and progressive activists who see him as a symbol of generational change. His supporters argue that policies like free transit and higher corporate taxes are essential to fixing inequality in a city where rents and living costs have soared out of reach for working families.

Matt Gaetz Weighs In

During the OAN segment, host Matt Gaetz — a Florida congressman and outspoken conservative — praised Morano’s defiant stance.

“You represent some of the hardest-working, most patriotic, wonderful people I’ve ever met,” Gaetz said. “How are you preparing them for what’s to come with a potential Mayor Mamdani?”

Morano’s response, equal parts fiery and pragmatic, resonated with conservative viewers across the country.

“I’m not giving up,” he replied. “Staten Island is going to lead the fight to keep New York from going off the socialist deep end.”

Gaetz later added that Morano’s approach offered “a model for resistance” that could inspire other city leaders nationwide facing progressive political waves.

Looking Ahead: Debate Night Could Decide the Race

With the first televised debate just days away, both camps are bracing for a political showdown.

Mamdani is expected to double down on his populist message — railing against corporate greed and promising “justice in motion” for working-class New Yorkers.
Meanwhile, Sliwa will likely frame the election as a referendum on safety, affordability, and sanity in a city he says has “lost touch with reality.”

Morano, though not on the debate stage, is positioning himself as the loudest voice outside the ring — ready to amplify every conservative counterpoint and, if necessary, challenge the new mayor in court.

“I’ll be watching every move,” he said. “If they try to break the law, I’ll be the first to stop them.”

The Bottom Line

In a city where politics rarely sleep, Frank Morano has made one thing clear:
He’s not just fighting for his Staten Island seat — he’s fighting for the future direction of New York itself.

“We’ve been through crime waves, economic crises, and political chaos before,” Morano said. “But we’ve never given up on this city. And we’re not starting now.”