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Mamdani Dominates NYC Mayor's Race, Up 22 Points Over Cuomo In 4-Way Race, Quinnipiac University New York City Poll Finds; If Adams Drops Out, Mamdani Still Leads By Double Digits

Less than two months until Election Day, Democrat Zohran Mamdani leads the race for New York City mayor with 45 percent support among likely voters, followed by former Governor Andrew Cuomo running as an independent candidate with 23 percent support, Republican Curtis Sliwa with 15 percent support, and Mayor Eric Adams running as an independent candidate with 12 percent support, according to a Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh-pea- ack) University New York City poll of likely voters released today.

Among Democrats, 59 percent support Mamdani, 23 percent support Cuomo, 11 percent support Adams, and 3 percent support Sliwa.

Among independents, 37 percent support Mamdani, 27 percent support Cuomo, 19 percent support Sliwa, and 12 percent support Adams.

Among Republicans, 56 percent support Sliwa, 21 percent support Adams, 11 percent support Cuomo, and 5 percent support Mamdani.

ENTHUSIASM

Likely voters were asked about their enthusiasm level for their chosen candidate.

Among likely voters backing Mamdani, 91 percent say they are either very enthusiastic (44 percent) or somewhat enthusiastic (47 percent).

Among likely voters backing Sliwa, 79 percent say they are either very enthusiastic (47 percent) or somewhat enthusiastic (32 percent).

Among likely voters backing Adams, 75 percent say they are either very enthusiastic (44 percent) or somewhat enthusiastic (31 percent).

Among likely voters backing Cuomo, 75 percent say they are either very enthusiastic (32 percent) or somewhat enthusiastic (43 percent).

"In a mayoral race that seems to grow more intense by the day, Zohran Mamdani has the wind at his back less than two months until Election Day. While a lot can happen in the race between now and November 4, Mamdani's edge on enthusiasm among supporters is a plus," said Quinnipiac University Poll Assistant Director Mary Snow.

HYPOTHETICAL 3-WAY RACE

In a hypothetical 3-way race, in the event Mayor Eric Adams were to exit the race as reports suggest but Adams denies, Mamdani would receive 46 percent support among likely voters, Cuomo would receive 30 percent support and Sliwa would receive 17 percent support.

FAVORABILITY RATINGS

Likely voters were asked whether they had a favorable or unfavorable opinion of:

  • Zohran Mamdani: 45 percent favorable, 36 percent unfavorable, 18 percent haven't heard enough about him;
  • Andrew Cuomo: 33 percent favorable, 56 percent unfavorable, 8 percent haven't heard enough about him;
  • Curtis Sliwa: 24 percent favorable, 39 percent unfavorable, 34 percent haven't heard enough about him;
  • Eric Adams: 23 percent favorable, 68 percent unfavorable, 7 percent haven't heard enough about him.

PERSONAL TRAITS

Likely voters were asked whether they would say that the candidates care about the needs and problems of people like them, have good leadership skills, and are honest.

Cares about the needs and problems of people like you:

  • Zohran Mamdani: 51 percent say yes, 37 percent say no, 12 percent did not offer an opinion;
  • Andrew Cuomo: 41 percent say yes, 53 percent say no, 6 percent did not offer an opinion;
  • Curtis Sliwa: 39 percent say yes, 38 percent say no, 23 percent did not offer an opinion;
  • Eric Adams: 33 percent say yes, 60 percent say no, 7 percent did not offer an opinion.

Good leadership skills:

  • Andrew Cuomo: 57 percent say yes, 37 percent say no, 6 percent did not offer an opinion;
  • Zohran Mamdani: 44 percent say yes, 34 percent say no, 22 percent did not offer an opinion;
  • Eric Adams: 32 percent say yes, 62 percent say no, 6 percent did not offer an opinion;
  • Curtis Sliwa: 31 percent say yes, 41 percent say no, 28 percent did not offer an opinion.

Honest:

  • Zohran Mamdani: 48 percent say yes, 34 percent say no, 18 percent did not offer an opinion;
  • Curtis Sliwa: 40 percent say yes, 28 percent say no, 32 percent did not offer an opinion;
  • Andrew Cuomo: 25 percent say yes, 64 percent say no, 11 percent did not offer an opinion;
  • Eric Adams: 20 percent say yes, 70 percent say no, 9 percent did not offer an opinion.
"Hands down, likely voters see Zohran Mamdani as more likeable, empathetic and honest than his competitors. But there is a bright spot for Andrew Cuomo. Likely voters see him as the candidate with the strongest leadership skills," added Snow.

MOST IMPORTANT ISSUE

Given a list of nine issues and asked which is the most important one in deciding who to vote for in the election for mayor, 30 percent of likely voters say crime, 21 percent say affordable housing, and 13 percent say inflation, with no other issue reaching double digits.

The top issue for young likely voters is different than other age groups:

  • 18 to 34 year olds: affordable housing (33 percent), crime (20 percent), health care (11 percent), and inflation (11 percent), with no other issue reaching double digits.
  • 35 to 49 year olds: crime (32 percent), affordable housing (24 percent), and inflation (13 percent), with no other issue reaching double digits.
  • 50 to 64 year olds: crime (36 percent), affordable housing (15 percent), and inflation (15 percent), with no other issue reaching double digits.
  • 65 years of age and over: crime (30 percent), affordable housing (15 percent), inflation (15 percent), and health care (12 percent), with no other issue reaching double digits.

SATISFACTION

Two-thirds of likely voters (67 percent) are either very dissatisfied (29 percent) or somewhat dissatisfied (38 percent) with the way things are going in New York City today, while 33 percent are either very satisfied (3 percent) or somewhat satisfied (30 percent).

TAXING THE WEALTHY

Likely voters 65 - 30 percent support raising taxes on the wealthiest New Yorkers to pay for programs and initiatives in New York City.

PRESIDENT TRUMP & NYC

Twenty-six percent of likely voters in New York City approve of the way Donald Trump is handling his job as president, while 69 percent disapprove, and 5 percent did not offer an opinion.

When it comes to crime in New York City, 56 percent of likely voters would like to see the next mayor do more to stand up to President Trump, while 37 percent would like to see the next mayor do more to work with President Trump.

When it comes to immigration in New York City, 60 percent of likely voters would like to see the next mayor do more to stand up to President Trump, while 35 percent would like to see the next mayor do more to work with President Trump.

"The name not on the ballot but seen having influence on this race is President Trump. And likely voters in New York City make it clear they want the next occupant of Gracie Mansion to stand up to Trump when it comes to issues inside New York City," added Snow.

JOB APPROVALS

Fifty-one percent of likely voters approve of the way Kathy Hochul is handling her job as governor, while 36 percent disapprove, and 14 percent did not offer an opinion.

Forty-six percent of likely voters approve of the way Jessica Tisch is handling her job as police commissioner, while 22 percent disapprove, and 33 percent did not offer an opinion.

Twenty-eight percent of likely voters approve of the way Eric Adams is handling his job as mayor, while 66 percent disapprove, and 6 percent did not offer an opinion.

967 New York City likely voters were surveyed from September 4th - 8th with a margin of error of +/- 3.9 percentage points, including the design effect.

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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