Zoran Mamdani, a Democratic Socialist and City Council member, is leading the race for New York City mayor by 20 points over his nearest competitor, independent Andrew Cuomo.
Mamdani appears to be a strong contender for the mayoral general election in November, with 45% backing in a Suffolk University Cityview New Yorker poll.
Cuomo, who stepped down as governor in 2021 amid various scandals and is now running as an independent after losing his primary, is currently at 25% support in a poll taken from September 16 to 18.
Meanwhile, Republican Curtis Sliwa is at 9%, followed by incumbent mayor Eric Adams at 8%, trailing behind the leading candidates.
Related: Go ahead and choose the Communists, New York!
According to voters, the mayor’s primary concern is affordability (21%), followed closely by crime (20%), economy and employment (14%), housing (9%), Trump-related issues (8%), racism and justice (7%), and education (6%).
Other issues received less than 4% of votes.
The Suffolk poll is notable for being the first public poll that officially includes all seven candidates from various parties or designations.
“Mamdani and Sliwa appear twice because they’re affiliated with multiple parties,” said David Perelogos, director at the Centre for Political Studies at Suffolk University.
“This benefits Mamdani, who is listed first for the Democrats and fourth under the Working Families Party.”
Vote counts were released a day after Mamdani spoke to Qatar Television about allegations against the US federal government concerning Palestinians.
Related: Maybe not to elect a communist?
He asserted, without providing proof, that US support has contributed to the deaths of “Palestinian children every hour or more years.”
Mamdani has also promised to withdraw the city’s investments in Israeli bonds and has refrained from condemning the phrase “Intifada globalization.” His message resonates with American democratic socialists who view him as a significant opportunity to gain political power.
His campaign rhetoric has raised eyebrows among Jewish Democrats, and his events have already drawn hecklers, particularly on Staten Island.
