Chadwick Moore, journalist, New York Post contributor, and author of Tucker: The Biography of Tucker Carlson, joined Chicago’s Morning Answer to discuss the New York City mayoral race, the state of urban conservatism, and recent criticism of Tucker Carlson’s commentary.
Moore praised Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa for refusing to drop out of the race despite pressure from donors and media elites urging him to consolidate votes against Democratic socialist frontrunner Zoran Mandani. “If you want to be ruled by socialists, fine,” Moore said. “But it’s not Sliwa’s job to save Democrats from the monster they created.”
He argued that Sliwa’s persistence—despite slim odds—serves a larger purpose by maintaining a Republican foothold in one of America’s most liberal cities. “New York used to celebrate its oddballs and originals, and Curtis is one of them,” Moore said. “He’s a classic New York character, and it’s a shame he’s polling as low as he is because he’s running one of the most spirited campaigns we’ve seen from a Republican in years.”
Moore pointed to Sliwa’s improved debate performance and populist messaging, particularly his line that New York is “a city where they lock up toothpaste but not criminals.” He said that kind of rhetoric resonates with ordinary voters frustrated by urban decline, soft-on-crime policies, and the erosion of quality of life.
Discussing the broader political landscape, Moore said Democrats are now facing the consequences of their own governance. “They ran every Republican out of town,” he said. “They made life insufferable for anyone slightly to the right of Mao. And now they want the Republican candidate to bail them out? Too late.”
Turning to the state level, Moore noted that Governor Kathy Hochul’s vulnerability could create an opening for Republican Congresswoman Elise Stefanik, who is reportedly polling ahead of Hochul. “If Mandani wins in New York City and Stefanik wins statewide, you’d have a socialist mayor facing off against a Republican governor—and maybe even a Republican president,” Moore said. “That would neutralize a lot of the chaos coming out of New York City.”
The conversation also touched on Moore’s expertise as Tucker Carlson’s biographer amid renewed debate over Carlson’s interviews and alleged foreign influence. Moore dismissed accusations that Carlson harbors anti-Semitic views or financial ties to foreign governments. “He’s been far more critical of the U.S. government than of Israel,” Moore said. “He’s not on anyone’s payroll—he just refuses to be told who he can or can’t talk to.”
Moore described Carlson as a “lovable mischief-maker” who thrives on pushing boundaries. “When the left told him what topics were off-limits, he doubled down. Now it’s conservatives trying to police him, and he’s reacting the same way,” he said. “It’s not about Israel or Qatar—it’s about free thought. Tucker’s always going to say what he believes, even if it offends the powerful.”