As the countdown to Election Day continues, the race for the mayoral seat in New York City is heating up.
Zohran Mamdani, the 33-year-old democratic socialist state lawmaker from Queens, is currently in the lead with a double-digit advantage. However, former Governor Andrew Cuomo is steadily closing the gap, as revealed by a recent Quinnipiac University poll.
According to Fox News, Mamdani, who stunned the political landscape in June by securing the Democratic Party's mayoral nomination, has the support of 46% of likely voters. Cuomo, who stepped down as governor in 2021 amidst a flurry of scandals and is now running as an independent candidate, has garnered 33% support. Curtis Sliwa, co-founder of Guardian Angels and the Republican nominee for the second consecutive election, stands at 15%.
The poll was conducted from October 3 to 7, following the withdrawal of Mayor Eric Adams from the race. In the previous Quinnipiac University poll conducted in early September, Mamdani held a 22-point lead over Cuomo, with Sliwa at 15% and Adams at 12%.
"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," said Mary Snow, Assistant Director at Quinnipiac University Poll. However, Cuomo's campaign spokesman, Rich Azzopardi, countered this by stating that the survey confirmed a decisive shift in the race and that "Mamdani remains stagnant."
Mamdani's support base is strongest among Democrats (60%), Asian American voters (67%), and voters aged 18 to 49 years old (60%). On the other hand, Cuomo's strongest support comes from Jewish voters (60%), while Sliwa's is from Republicans (54%).
Mamdani also leads in terms of voter enthusiasm, with 90% of his supporters expressing high levels of excitement. This figure drops to 85% for Sliwa supporters and 69% for those backing Cuomo.
Born in Uganda, Mamdani could make history as the first Muslim and millennial mayor of the nation's most populous city. His victory in the Democratic primary was largely due to a vibrant campaign that emphasized affordability and the high cost of living in New York City. His campaign was propelled by a grassroots army of supporters and endorsements from top national progressive figures, including Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York and Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont.
Mamdani's innovative use of social media platforms, such as TikTok, to engage low-propensity voters, and his proposals to eliminate bus fares, make CUNY "tuition-free," freeze rents on municipal housing, offer free childcare for children up to age 5, and establish government-run grocery stores have been central to his campaign.
However, his rivals have heavily criticized him for his far-left proposals, his criticism of Israel, his past negative comments about the New York City Police Department (NYPD), and his proposal to shift certain responsibilities away from the NYPD and focus on social services and community-based programs. As the race continues, it remains to be seen how these factors will influence the final outcome.
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