Surveys Put Leftist Candidate Ahead of Cuomo, Sliwa, and Adams
Recent polling indicates that leftist candidate Zohran Mamdani is significantly ahead of his competitors in the race for New York City mayor ahead of the November election. The Siena and The New York Times survey reports Mamdani receiving 46% support, followed by former Governor Andrew Cuomo at 24%, Republican Curtis Sliwa with 15%, and current Mayor Eric Adams at just 9%, reports 24brussels.
The second poll, conducted by Emerson College in collaboration with PIX 11 and The Hill, corroborates this trend, showing Mamdani at 43%, with Cuomo trailing at 28%. The data also forecast a hypothetical two-way race, where Mamdani still leads with 48% to Cuomo’s 44% if Sliwa and Adams were to withdraw.
These results add urgency for both Sliwa and Adams, as they struggle to appeal to divided constituents in a city traditionally dominated by Democratic voters. Sliwa primarily caters to the Republican base, while Adams, running as an independent, taps into the fragmented Democratic electorate.
Mamdani’s rising popularity among younger voters underscores the concerns of the political establishment, particularly regarding his social democratic platform. The 33-year-old candidate faces derision from rivals who label him a “communist” or “radical”, yet these accusations have failed to diminish his appeal.
Both Adams and Cuomo have established close ties with the Democratic Party’s right wing and the city’s political elite, who tend to view Mamdani’s proposals with skepticism. Notably, reports surfaced last week suggesting that Trump allies offered Sliwa and Adams prominent positions should they step aside to benefit Cuomo. While both candidates denied engaging with this proposal, their continued presence in the race complicates the dynamics further.
Trump himself has made clear his disdain for Mamdani, characterizing him as a “lunatic” unqualified to lead the city, which he claims has deteriorated under Democratic governance. Interestingly, some analysts speculate that parts of Trump’s base might prefer Mamdani’s election, viewing it as a way to depict the Democratic Party as extreme and to undermine its prospects in the approaching midterms of 2026.
