Zohran Mamdani holds big lead in New York mayor’s race, latest poll finds

The Times reported that if both Adams and Sliwa left the race, Cuomo would pick up much of their support. In a head-to-head contest, the poll suggested Mamdani would have 48 per cent against  Cuomo’s 44 per cent.

The newspaper noted that discussions have taken place about persuading Adams to suspend his campaign, with one option being a role in the Trump administration. Advisers have also considered ways to encourage Sliwa to exit the race.

Support for Mamdani is rooted in his affordability agenda, the poll showed. Nearly 70 per cent of respondents supported his proposal to freeze rent increases for rent-stabilised homes, including many of Cuomo’s and Adams’s backers.

When asked which candidate would best handle affordability, 49 per cent named  Mamdani, compared with 23 per cent for Cuomo. On housing, he led by 46 per cent to Cuomo’s 24 per cent.

Mamdani was also seen as the candidate who had best addressed the conflict between Israelis and Palestinians. Forty-three per cent favoured his position, compared with 16 per cent for Cuomo. The Times noted that  Mamdani has been outspoken in his criticism of Israel and has called its actions in Gaza genocide.

At the same time, the poll revealed doubts about whether Mamdani could deliver on all his promises. About two-thirds of voters, including more than half of his own supporters, said they did not expect him to achieve everything he had pledged.

Cuomo, who resigned as governor in 2021 amid sexual harassment allegations, still faces scepticism. The poll found that more than 80 per cent of voters believe he did something wrong or illegal.

The survey of 1,284 likely voters has a margin of error of 3.6 percentage points.