Mamdani Leads in NYC Mayoral Race
Zohran Mamdani is significantly ahead in the New York City mayoral race, according to recent polling data. The survey indicates that voters who are not aligned with Democratic candidates are leaning towards alternative options.
The Emerson College Polling/PIX11/The Hill survey, published on Wednesday, reveals that Mamdani holds a 15-point advantage over Andrew Cuomo, with 43% support compared to Cuomo’s 28%. Republican Curtis Sliwa trails in third with 10%, and current Mayor Eric Adams is at 7%.
Approximately 9% of respondents remain undecided.
This poll marks Emerson’s first foray into the mayoral election, showing that a significant majority of voters are firm in their candidate choices. Notably, Mamdani’s supporters exhibit high levels of commitment, with 85% affirmatively backing him. In comparison, 74% of Sliwa’s supporters, 72% of Cuomo’s, and 66% of Adams’s backers also express strong support.
The findings complement a separate poll from the New York Times/Siena College released the day before, which indicated Mamdani with a 20-point lead over Cuomo. Some opponents of Mamdani have suggested that remaining candidates should unify to challenge him; however, both Sliwa and Adams remain in the race, even amid speculation that Adams might withdraw.
Yet, Mamdani continues to maintain a lead over potential challengers. Hypothetical matchups show him ahead by seven points against Cuomo, 21 points against Adams, and 24 points over Sliwa.
The results bolster the argument that Cuomo could be the strongest candidate against Mamdani.
Another challenge for Mamdani’s competitors is that Democratic candidates are perceived as having clear advantages. In the polling, Mamdani was viewed favorably by 48% of participants while 36% viewed him negatively.
Cuomo garnered a favorable view from 36% and an unfavorable one from 51%. Sliwa was seen positively by 24% and negatively by 45%, while Adams’s favorability appears even lower in a city that leans Democratic.
Concerns about the economy dominate voters’ minds, with 27% identifying it as the primary issue facing the city, followed closely by threats to democracy at 25%.
The poll was conducted from September 7 to 8 among 600 registered voters in New York City, with a margin of error of 3.9 points.
