Mamdani dominates NYC mayoral poll, rivals trail far behind
A new poll in New York City’s mayoral race has placed Zohran Mamdani well ahead of the competition, signaling a dramatic shift
NEW YORK (MNTV) – A new poll in New York City’s mayoral race has placed Zohran Mamdani well ahead of the competition, signaling a dramatic shift in the city’s political landscape just ten weeks before Election Day.
The survey, conducted by AARP New York in partnership with Gotham Polling & Analytics, sampled 1,376 likely voters.
It found Mamdani leading with 41.8% support, while former Governor Andrew Cuomo, running as an independent, came in a distant second with 23.4%. Republican nominee Curtis Sliwa polled at 16.5%, and incumbent Mayor Eric Adams—also standing as an independent—was in fourth place with only 8.8%. About 8% of respondents remained undecided, and 1.6% favored other minor candidates.
The poll tested multiple scenarios, including potential withdrawals.
In each case, Mamdani’s lead held steady. If Cuomo were to drop out, Mamdani’s support would surge to nearly 48%, putting him almost 28 points ahead of Sliwa. In a head-to-head with Cuomo, Mamdani would still lead by 11 points, though 27% of voters said they were undecided—a bloc that could be decisive if the race narrows.
In direct contests with other candidates, Mamdani’s advantage was even more striking: 22.9 points over Sliwa and 24.4 points over Adams.
The findings underscore the steep decline in Mayor Adams’s standing. Once a rising Democratic star, Adams has seen his popularity collapse amid criticism of his handling of public safety, housing affordability, and ethics controversies. Nearly half of respondents rated him “very unfavorable.”
Cuomo, seeking a political comeback after resigning as governor in 2021, fared better but still trailed Mamdani significantly. He has argued that the crowded field risks splitting the anti-Mamdani vote, warning in a CBS News New York interview that unless weaker contenders step aside, the election could become a “suicide mission.”
The poll also offered insights into voter priorities. More than half of New Yorkers—52.7%—said the city was heading in the wrong direction. The top concerns were the rising cost of living, public safety, and housing affordability.
On favorability, Mamdani was viewed more positively than his opponents, with 36% rating him “very favorable,” compared with 19% for both Cuomo and Sliwa, and just 8.3% for Adams.
This year’s mayoral race is unlike any in recent history. For the first time, all major contenders are running outside the Democratic Party line, reflecting growing discontent with the city’s political establishment.
Mamdani, an openly progressive legislator of Ugandan-Indian descent, has built his campaign around housing justice, economic equity, and challenging corporate influence—messages that appear to be resonating with younger and more diverse voters.
The general election is set for November 4, and with early voting just weeks away, pressure is mounting on Cuomo and Sliwa to decide whether to stay in the race.
For now, however, Mamdani appears to have established himself as the clear front-runner in a city restless for change.
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