He struggles to float.
New polling data reveals that Mayor Eric Adams is struggling significantly in the upcoming general election, with his support barely surpassing the double digits. According to a recent survey from Slingshot Strategies, Adams trails behind Democratic candidate Zohran Mamdani, who leads with 35% of the vote. In second place is Curtis Sliwa, with 25%. Adams lags behind with just 11%.
Evan Roth Smith, a founding partner at Slingshot, pointed out that while Mamdani’s 35% is not a majority, it does suggest there’s potential for alternatives. He indicated that both Cuomo and Adams face challenges here.
“The votes are largely set, and the most formidable contender against Mamdani is Andrew Cuomo, who has faced significant setbacks in the primary,” he said. “Interestingly, while Mamdani has fresh appeal, he’s not breaking through the double-digit barrier and seems to be losing credibility as the election unfolds.”
Both Cuomo and Adams have been vocal in their critiques of each other recently. However, Sliwa contends that the moderates are actually pushing Mamdani supporters away rather than winning them over, reflecting the anger and hope his campaign embodies.
Smith highlighted that Mamdani’s skepticism primarily comes from older white homeowners in the outer boroughs, but he wouldn’t affirm that these groups would necessarily back Adams or Cuomo in the final election.
“The skeptics we’re seeing—mostly older, white homeowners in the outer boroughs—are consolidating behind either Andrew Cuomo or Eric Adams,” he noted.
The poll also indicates that Mamdani struggles with certain demographics, particularly male voters, non-graduates, and individuals aged 45 to 64, many of whom seem unlikely to support the 33-year-old candidate.
Additionally, new findings suggest that Adams’ support has significantly declined across various demographic groups, with only 16% of black respondents indicating they would vote for him in the general election.
The survey shows Adams received a notable 26% backing from Republicans. However, Smith remarked that, “Republican support for a Democratic mayor in New York simply isn’t sufficient.”
“Achieving 11% is challenging, and given that the numbers haven’t shifted, it’s hard to see a clear path to victory,” he concluded.
