Yes. But I think Silver got turned around by Rudolph Giuliani, for whom he campaigned. He saw the wretched mess that New York City had become under continual Democratic rule -- especially under David Dinkins, who let radical blacks riot against Jews for three days unimpeded (and commit two murders in the process).
So I think Silver may be a Giuliani Republican. That is to say, a very liberal Republican, but better than your usual Hollywood moron.