With New York City Mayor Eric Adams officially out of the race, a new poll released on Thursday found that former Governor Andrew Cuomo has picked up some of the mayor's support base, but still lags behind Democratic mayoral nominee Zohran Mamdani.
Mamdani leads the race with 46% percent of likely voters backing him, followed by Cuomo with 33% and Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa with 15%, according to a poll from Quinnipiac University.
The previous Quinnipiac poll from Sept. 10, when it was a 4-way race, had Mamdani receiving 45% support, Cuomo with 23%, Sliwa receiving 15%, and Adams receiving 12% percent support.
"The numbers changed but the contours of the race haven't," Quinnipiac University Poll Assistant Director Mary Snow said in a statement. "Andrew Cuomo picked up the bulk of Adams' supporters cutting into Zohran Mamdani's lead, but Mamdani's frontrunner status by double digits stays intact."
The poll found that Mamdani's strongest support is among Democrats (60%), Asian American voters (67%), voters 18 to 34 years old (62%), voters 35 to 49 years old (60%), and voters who identify as not being part of any religious group (69%).
Cuomo's strongest support is among Jewish voters (60%), while Sliwa's strongest support is among Republicans (54%).
The poll also found that voters found Mamdani the most ethical, and Cuomo had the right kind of experience to be mayor of New York City.
Likely voters were asked, regardless of how they intend to vote, who they think would do the best job of:
- Lowering housing costs in New York City: 48% said Mamdani, 25% Cuomo and 13% Sliwa, with 14% not offering an opinion;
- Managing the city's public schools: 41% said Mamdani, 36% Cuomo, 16% Sliwa, with 8% not offering an opinion;
- Making sure New York City's interests are best represented with President Trump in the White House: 35% said Mamdani, 34% Cuomo, 22% Sliwa, with 9% not offering an opinion;
- Keeping you and your family safe: 35% said Mamdani, 32% Cuomo, 23% Sliwa, with 10% not offering an opinion;
- Growing the city's economy: 41% said Cuomo, 35% Mamdani, 15% Sliwa, with 10% percent not offering an opinion.
"Much has been said about the issue not on the ballot but looming over the race: President Trump. Both Mamdani and Cuomo make the case they'll be the best guardrail over New York City's interests under Trump. But voters don't see much daylight between them," Snow said.
