July 18, 1939 – November 16, 2025

New York City has lost one of its most legendary political figures. Sid Davidoff, who spent six decades at the heart of the city’s political life, passed away on November 16, 2025, at the age of 86.
Born in Brooklyn and raised in Queens, Davidoff was a New Yorker to his core. He graduated from City College of New York in 1960 and earned his law degree from NYU in 1963, launching a career that would establish him as one of the most respected and influential voices in New York politics.

The Lindsay Years

Davidoff’s rise was swift. By his mid-twenties, he was already a trusted aide to Mayor John Lindsay, serving as administrative assistant during one of the most turbulent periods in the city’s history. He was Lindsay’s street-level guide through New York, managing the mayor’s schedule outside City Hall and standing on the front lines during crises from sanitation strikes to the unrest at Columbia University. As colleague Elizabeth Holtzman observed, Davidoff “helped make it possible for Lindsay to govern the city.”

His loyalty earned him a distinctive honor: he was number 12 on President Nixon’s enemies list — a distinction he wore proudly. “I think it should absolutely be carved into my gravestone: ‘He was lucky enough to be on Nixon’s enemies list,'” he once wrote.

A Political Powerhouse

After leaving City Hall, Davidoff founded Davidoff Hutcher & Citron LLP in 1975, building it into one of New York’s premier law and lobbying firms. For half a century, he served as an informal adviser to mayors and governors across party lines. He was Mayor David Dinkins’ tennis partner and a strong supporter of Bill de Blasio, who officiated Davidoff’s 2014 wedding to journalist Linda Stasi at City Hall.

Manhattan Democratic Party Chair Keith Wright called him “the alpha and the omega,” adding, “Anybody involved in politics or government knows the name of Sid Davidoff. He was a real griot. He had institutional memory. And people came from far and wide to seek his advice.”

The Man Behind the Legend

Those who knew Davidoff described him as sharp, street-savvy, and warm. His wife, Linda Stasi, remembered him as “a tough guy, a genuine New York character… who was just the sweetest, kindest person in the world.” Colleagues said that at 86 he “thought like a 40-year-old” and worked until the very end.
Friend Steve Isenberg captured his essence: “He was very much an unpretentious, no-bull but forceful guy. He had a lot of insight into exactly what made the wheels turn and who made the wheels turn.”

Davidoff also served as a Chubb Fellow at Yale, lectured at NYU School of Law, and taught political science at City College. He even had small roles in Spin City and The Sopranos.
His death came just one day before the planned 50th anniversary celebration of his firm. He is survived by his wife, Linda Stasi, and stepdaughter Jessica Rovello.

“He just knew the pulse and measure of this city, right down to the ground.”

Memorial contributions may be made to organizations supporting civic engagement and political education in New York City.