Mayor Adams' Job Approval Rating Drops To All-Time Low Of 20%, Quinnipiac University New York City Poll Finds; 56% Of Voters Say Adams Should Resign From Office
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As New York City Mayor Eric Adams faces legal uncertainty over federal corruption charges, as well as a re-election bid, a record low 20 percent of voters approve of the way Adams is handling his job as mayor, while 67 percent disapprove and 13 percent did not offer an opinion, according to a Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh-pea-ack) University poll of registered voters in New York City released today.
This is the lowest job approval rating of any New York City mayor in the nearly 30 years since Quinnipiac University began polling New York City registered voters.
The previous low was set by Adams in Quinnipiac University's December 2023 poll, when 28 percent approved of the job Adams was doing, while 58 percent disapproved and 14 percent did not offer an opinion.
In today's poll, Democrats (78 - 15 percent), independents (63 - 20 percent), and Republicans (52 - 35 percent) disapprove of the way Mayor Adams is handling his job.
"Unpopular even before an indictment on federal corruption charges, voters' confidence in Mayor Adams sinks to a new low now that his legal case has become a national controversy," said Quinnipiac University Poll Assistant Director Mary Snow.
CORRUPTION CHARGES
Nearly three-quarters of voters (73 percent) say they have been following developments involving federal corruption charges brought against Mayor Adams either very closely (31 percent) or somewhat closely (42 percent), while 26 percent say they have been following the developments not too closely.
Four in 10 voters (40 percent) believe Adams did something illegal, while 31 percent believe he did something unethical but nothing illegal, and 13 percent believe he did not do anything wrong. Sixteen percent did not offer an opinion.
Voters 63 - 25 percent think the charges against Mayor Adams should not be dropped.
SHOULD ADAMS RESIGN?
Voters 56 - 35 percent think that Adams should resign as mayor of New York City.
Democrats (72 - 23 percent) and independents (51 - 38 percent) think that Adams should resign, while Republicans (68 - 26 percent) think that he should not resign.
"A decision is yet to come on whether federal charges against Mayor Adams will be dismissed. But in the court of public opinion, voters think it's time for Adams to step aside," added Snow.
ADAMS: PERSONAL TRAITS
Voters were asked whether or not Eric Adams...
- understands the problems of people like them: 33 percent say yes, 59 percent say no, 8 percent did not offer an opinion;
- has strong leadership qualities: 32 percent say yes, 61 percent say no, 7 percent did not offer an opinion;
- is honest and trustworthy: 18 percent say yes, 69 percent say no, 14 percent did not offer an opinion.
These are the lowest scores he has received on these questions in a Quinnipiac University poll.
ADAMS: ISSUES
Voters were asked about Mayor Adams' handling of:
- crime: 30 percent approve, while 57 percent disapprove, and 13 percent did not offer an opinion;
- issues related to undocumented immigrants: 24 percent approve, while 64 percent disapprove, and 12 percent did not offer an opinion;
- the city budget: 21 percent approve, while 58 percent disapprove, and 21 percent did not offer an opinion.
UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANTS
Voters 58 - 32 percent oppose deporting all undocumented immigrants and sending them back to their home countries. Ten percent did not offer an opinion.
Among those who oppose deporting all undocumented immigrants, 81 percent support deporting undocumented immigrants convicted of violent crimes, while 16 percent oppose it.
When these results are combined, 32 percent of voters support deporting all undocumented immigrants and sending them back to their home countries, while 47 percent only support deporting undocumented immigrants convicted of violent crimes, and 9 percent oppose both scenarios, with 11 percent not offering an opinion.
ADAMS & TRUMP
Fifty-six percent of voters would like to see Mayor Adams do more to stand up to President Trump when it comes to the issue of undocumented immigrants in New York City, while 33 percent would like to see Mayor Adams do more to work with President Trump on this issue and 11 percent did not offer an opinion.
"As Mayor Adams warms to President Trump, voters want him to do just the opposite. They want him to stand up more to Trump when it comes to undocumented immigrants," added Snow.
JOB APPROVALS
Voters are split on their approval of Governor Kathy Hochul, with 43 percent approving of the job she is doing, 42 percent disapproving, and 15 percent not offering an opinion.
When it comes to President Trump, 30 percent of voters approve of the job he is doing, while 65 percent disapprove, and 5 percent did not offer an opinion.
CONGESTION PRICING
Voters 54 - 41 percent oppose New York City's congestion pricing toll for motor vehicles entering Manhattan that is intended to reduce traffic and raise money for New York City's transit system.
Forty-five percent of voters approve of President Trump's action to end New York City's congestion pricing toll, while 49 percent disapprove.
SATISFACTION
Twenty-five percent of voters are either very satisfied (3 percent) or somewhat satisfied (22 percent) with the way things are going in New York City today, while 72 percent of voters are either somewhat dissatisfied (35 percent) or very dissatisfied (37 percent).
This is a record low. The previous low was in Quinnipiac University's July 2003 poll when 30 percent of voters said they were either very or somewhat satisfied, while 70 percent said they were either somewhat or very dissatisfied.
DEMOCRATIC MAYORAL PRIMARY
Registered Democrats were given a list of 11 Democrats who either have announced they are running for New York City mayor or are seen as a possible mayoral candidate. They were asked if the Democratic primary for mayor were being held today, for whom would they vote. Andrew Cuomo receives 31 percent support; Eric Adams receives 11 percent support; Zohran Mamdani receives 8 percent support; Jumaane Williams receives 7 percent support; Scott Stringer receives 6 percent support; Brad Lander receives 5 percent support; Jessica Ramos and Adrienne Adams each receive 4 percent support; and Zellnor Myrie, Michael Blake, and Whitney Tilson each receive 1 percent support.
"Three and a half years after scandals forced him to resign as New York's governor, Andrew Cuomo leads a crowded field of Democratic mayoral hopefuls with a boost from moderate Democrats. A key number to watch: 16 percent, the slice of voters who are undecided as this race gains more attention," added Snow.
1,260 New York City self-identified registered voters were surveyed from February 27th - March 3rd with a margin of error of +/- 2.8 percentage points. The survey included 771 self-identified registered Democrats with a margin of error of +/- 3.5 percentage points.
The Quinnipiac University Poll, directed by Doug Schwartz, Ph.D. since 1994, conducts independent, non-partisan national and state polls on politics and issues. Surveys adhere to industry best practices and are based on probability-based samples using random digit dialing with live interviewers calling landlines and cell phones.
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Poll Questions
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Question 1. (If Registered Democrat) If the Democratic primary for mayor were being held today, and the candidates were: Eric Adams, Brad Lander, Jessica Ramos, Zellnor Myrie, Zohran Mamdani, Scott Stringer, Michael Blake, Whitney Tilson, Andrew Cuomo, Jumaane Williams, and Adrienne Adams, for whom would you vote? (INCLUDES LEANERS)
REGISTERED DEMOCRATS....................................... POLITICAL PHILOSOPHY LIBERAL..... Mod/ Tot Very Smwht Cons Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Adams, Eric 11% 1% 4% 16% 14% 8% 15% 12% 5% Lander 5 6 5 4 6 4 10 2 3 Ramos 4 6 8 3 4 5 2 5 9 Myrie 1 - 2 1 2 1 1 - 2 Mamdani 8 26 4 3 7 9 8 4 4 Stringer 6 8 9 3 7 5 9 3 5 Blake 1 1 - 1 1 1 - 2 1 Tilson 1 4 - - 1 1 1 - - Cuomo 31 12 24 41 31 32 26 37 40 Williams 7 11 14 4 7 7 7 13 2 Adams, Adrienne 4 3 6 3 2 4 3 5 3 SMONE ELSE(VOL) 1 - - 1 - 1 1 1 - WLDN'T VOTE(VOL) 3 - 3 4 4 2 5 - 1 UNDECIDED(VOL) 16 20 18 14 12 19 12 16 23 REFUSED 1 1 1 1 2 1 1 - - -
Question 2. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Eric Adams is handling his job as mayor?
REGISTERED VOTERS................................................. Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Asn Approve 20% 35% 15% 20% 21% 18% 26% 24% 14% 8% Disapprove 67 52 78 63 64 70 67 60 74 72 DK/NA 13 14 7 17 14 12 7 16 11 21 AREA............................. Brnx Bklyn Man Qns StIsl Approve 18% 26% 10% 19% 27% Disapprove 69 64 79 63 56 DK/NA 14 10 11 17 17 -
Question 3. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Kathy Hochul is handling her job as governor?
REGISTERED VOTERS................................................. Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Asn Approve 43% 9% 60% 35% 39% 46% 36% 60% 44% 33% Disapprove 42 80 29 49 48 38 55 23 41 49 DK/NA 15 10 11 16 14 16 9 17 15 18 AREA............................. Brnx Bklyn Man Qns StIsl Approve 49% 36% 52% 40% 42% Disapprove 37 51 35 41 42 DK/NA 14 13 14 19 16 -
Question 4. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Donald Trump is handling his job as president?
REGISTERED VOTERS................................................. Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Asn Approve 30% 92% 7% 31% 37% 24% 39% 13% 31% 35% Disapprove 65 5 91 61 57 72 58 81 66 58 DK/NA 5 2 3 8 6 4 3 6 4 6 AREA............................. Brnx Bklyn Man Qns StIsl Approve 27% 35% 16% 34% 39% Disapprove 65 61 80 60 60 DK/NA 8 4 4 6 1 -
Question 5. In general, how satisfied are you with the way things are going in New York City today; are you very satisfied, somewhat satisfied, somewhat dissatisfied, or very dissatisfied?
REGISTERED VOTERS................................................. Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Asn Very satisfied 3% 4% 2% 1% 4% 2% 2% 2% 4% 3% Smwht satisfied 22 22 25 19 27 19 26 26 15 23 Smwht dissatisfied 35 19 40 38 33 36 37 35 32 35 Very dissatisfied 37 52 32 38 34 40 34 35 45 35 DK/NA 3 3 2 5 2 4 1 2 4 4 AREA............................. Brnx Bklyn Man Qns StIsl Very satisfied 4% 3% 2% 3% 1% Smwht satisfied 18 22 24 21 31 Smwht dissatisfied 36 33 37 33 37 Very dissatisfied 40 37 32 42 30 DK/NA 2 5 4 2 1 -
Question 6. Do you think Eric Adams should resign as mayor of New York City, or not?
REGISTERED VOTERS................................................. Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Asn Yes 56% 26% 72% 51% 53% 59% 54% 46% 69% 62% No 35 68 23 38 39 31 42 44 24 23 DK/NA 9 7 4 11 8 10 4 10 7 14 AREA............................. Brnx Bklyn Man Qns StIsl Yes 54% 51% 69% 56% 43% No 36 40 22 34 49 DK/NA 9 9 9 10 7 -
Question 7. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Mayor Adams is handling - crime?
REGISTERED VOTERS................................................. Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Asn Approve 30% 37% 27% 31% 36% 25% 30% 42% 20% 26% Disapprove 57 56 60 56 54 60 62 45 67 56 DK/NA 13 7 13 13 11 15 8 12 13 18 AREA............................. Brnx Bklyn Man Qns StIsl Approve 31% 30% 24% 31% 40% Disapprove 57 57 62 55 53 DK/NA 12 14 14 14 7 -
Question 8. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Mayor Adams is handling - the city budget?
REGISTERED VOTERS................................................. Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Asn Approve 21% 33% 19% 23% 24% 18% 23% 30% 14% 18% Disapprove 58 47 63 58 55 61 57 49 71 66 DK/NA 21 21 18 19 21 21 19 21 15 16 AREA............................. Brnx Bklyn Man Qns StIsl Approve 21% 25% 18% 17% 26% Disapprove 59 54 63 58 58 DK/NA 19 21 18 25 16 -
Question 9. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Mayor Adams is handling - issues related to undocumented immigrants?
REGISTERED VOTERS................................................. Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Asn Approve 24% 39% 18% 29% 28% 21% 29% 28% 23% 14% Disapprove 64 51 75 57 61 66 62 63 67 69 DK/NA 12 10 7 15 11 12 9 9 10 17 AREA............................. Brnx Bklyn Man Qns StIsl Approve 21% 28% 19% 25% 27% Disapprove 67 60 66 65 65 DK/NA 12 11 15 10 8 -
Question 10. Would you say that Eric Adams understands the problems of people like you, or not?
REGISTERED VOTERS................................................. Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Asn Yes 33% 47% 29% 33% 36% 31% 35% 45% 29% 18% No 59 44 65 58 57 60 58 49 64 73 DK/NA 8 8 6 9 7 9 7 5 7 9 AREA............................. Brnx Bklyn Man Qns StIsl Yes 36% 40% 25% 31% 30% No 61 53 63 59 64 DK/NA 3 7 12 10 6 -
Question 11. Would you say that Eric Adams has strong leadership qualities, or not?
REGISTERED VOTERS................................................. Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Asn Yes 32% 36% 27% 35% 35% 29% 30% 43% 26% 24% No 61 54 68 59 59 63 66 50 68 66 DK/NA 7 10 5 6 6 8 3 7 6 10 AREA............................. Brnx Bklyn Man Qns StIsl Yes 33% 37% 22% 28% 48% No 63 54 71 64 46 DK/NA 5 9 7 8 5 -
Question 12. Would you say that Eric Adams is honest and trustworthy, or not?
REGISTERED VOTERS................................................. Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Asn Yes 18% 31% 11% 19% 20% 16% 23% 23% 12% 10% No 69 54 79 65 69 69 68 61 79 70 DK/NA 14 15 10 16 12 15 10 16 9 20 AREA............................. Brnx Bklyn Man Qns StIsl Yes 16% 23% 8% 16% 32% No 70 65 80 67 55 DK/NA 14 12 12 17 13 -
Question 13. How closely have you been following developments involving federal corruption charges brought against Mayor Adams; very closely, somewhat closely, or not too closely?
REGISTERED VOTERS................................................. Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Asn Very closely 31% 23% 36% 29% 36% 26% 35% 30% 27% 27% Somewhat closely 42 52 42 41 41 43 47 36 42 43 Not too closely 26 25 21 30 22 29 17 30 31 27 DK/NA 1 1 2 1 - 2 1 4 - 3 AREA............................. Brnx Bklyn Man Qns StIsl Very closely 29% 29% 40% 28% 25% Somewhat closely 38 39 44 45 49 Not too closely 31 30 16 27 25 DK/NA 2 2 - 1 2 -
Question 14. Based on what you know about these charges, do you believe that: Mayor Adams did something illegal, he did something unethical but nothing illegal, or do you believe that Mayor Adams did not do anything wrong?
REGISTERED VOTERS................................................. Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Asn Illegal 40% 18% 51% 40% 40% 41% 50% 29% 39% 45% Unethical/Not illegl 31 39 30 29 31 31 25 38 37 22 Nothing wrong 13 30 8 14 15 12 16 15 11 8 DK/NA 16 14 12 16 15 17 9 18 13 25 AREA............................. Brnx Bklyn Man Qns StIsl Illegal 38% 36% 58% 38% 21% Unethical/Not illegl 31 30 24 33 45 Nothing wrong 12 17 6 12 24 DK/NA 19 17 12 17 11 -
Question 15. Do you think the charges against Mayor Adams should be dropped, or not?
REGISTERED VOTERS................................................. Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Asn Yes 25% 59% 14% 24% 27% 22% 29% 32% 19% 18% No 63 29 79 61 60 65 64 57 70 65 DK/NA 12 12 7 16 12 13 7 10 11 18 AREA............................. Brnx Bklyn Man Qns StIsl Yes 23% 29% 13% 26% 42% No 60 57 77 63 51 DK/NA 17 14 10 11 7 -
Question 16. Do you support or oppose deporting all undocumented immigrants and sending them back to their home countries?
REGISTERED VOTERS................................................. Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Asn Support 32% 84% 14% 36% 40% 26% 39% 26% 29% 36% Oppose 58 12 78 50 53 62 56 62 61 54 DK/NA 10 3 7 14 7 12 5 12 10 9 AREA............................. Brnx Bklyn Man Qns StIsl Support 34% 36% 26% 29% 43% Oppose 55 52 68 59 56 DK/NA 11 11 6 12 1 -
Question 16a. (If Oppose q16) Do you support or oppose deporting undocumented immigrants convicted of violent crimes?
REGISTERED VOTERS............................... OPPOSE DEPORTING ALL UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANTS Q16 Tot Men Wom Support 81% 85% 78% Oppose 16 13 18 DK/NA 3 1 4 -
Question 16b. Do you support or oppose deporting all undocumented immigrants and sending them back to their home countries? COMBINED WITH: (If oppose q16) Do you support or oppose deporting undocumented immigrants convicted of violent crimes?
REGISTERED VOTERS................................................. Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Asn Supp/Deport all 32% 84% 14% 36% 40% 26% 39% 26% 29% 36% Supp/Deport convictd 47 11 64 42 45 48 46 51 52 35 Oppose 9 1 11 8 7 11 9 8 8 17 DK/NA 11 3 11 14 8 15 6 15 11 12 AREA............................. Brnx Bklyn Man Qns StIsl Supp/Deport all 34% 36% 26% 29% 43% Supp/Deport convictd 46 41 52 49 50 Oppose 8 9 13 9 6 DK/NA 12 14 8 13 1 -
Question 17. When it comes to the issue of undocumented immigrants in New York City, would you like to see Mayor Adams do more to stand up to President Trump or would you like to see Mayor Adams do more to work with President Trump?
REGISTERED VOTERS................................................. Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Asn Stand up to 56% 6% 79% 50% 48% 62% 50% 66% 57% 50% Work with 33 90 13 36 42 26 45 24 28 38 DK/NA 11 4 9 14 9 12 5 10 15 13 AREA............................. Brnx Bklyn Man Qns StIsl Stand up to 51% 54% 65% 53% 53% Work with 34 33 26 37 43 DK/NA 14 13 9 10 4 -
Question 18. Do you support or oppose New York City's congestion pricing toll for motor vehicles entering Manhattan that is intended to reduce traffic and raise money for New York City's transit system?
REGISTERED VOTERS................................................. Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Asn Support 41% 12% 55% 33% 41% 40% 48% 36% 35% 47% Oppose 54 84 37 63 53 54 47 55 61 49 DK/NA 6 4 8 5 6 6 6 9 4 4 AREA............................. Brnx Bklyn Man Qns StIsl Support 26% 38% 60% 34% 49% Oppose 65 56 35 61 46 DK/NA 9 6 5 5 5 -
Question 19. As you may know, President Trump has moved to end New York City's congestion pricing toll. Do you approve or disapprove of President Trump's action?
REGISTERED VOTERS................................................. Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Asn Approve 45% 89% 24% 55% 50% 40% 45% 42% 50% 42% Disapprove 49 10 68 40 44 53 52 51 42 55 DK/NA 6 2 8 5 5 7 3 7 8 3 AREA............................. Brnx Bklyn Man Qns StIsl Approve 58% 49% 23% 49% 51% Disapprove 33 45 71 46 46 DK/NA 9 6 6 6 3