New poll shows Muslim democratic socialist leading NYC mayoral campaign

New polling data released on Wednesday showed Democratic nominee Zohran Mamdani gaining a strong lead in the New York City mayoral election, claiming a multiple-point lead above top competitor Andrew Cuomo. Mamdani won the Democratic primary last month with a nearly 13-point margin over Cuomo, after receiving about 56% of the vote.

Data collected last week by political consulting firm Slingshot Strategies showed about 40% of New York City voters viewed Mamdani favorably, with 21% of respondents reporting the highest favorability rating. Data showed Cuomo topping Mamdani by receiving 44% favorability. However, 30% of Cuomo’s score came from respondents reporting they were only somewhat favorable, with only 14% of respondents showing strong support for his candidacy. While Cuomo’s unfavorability score was also 10 points higher than Mamdani's, under 30% of respondents viewed both candidates with high unfavorability.

About 35% of respondents said they would support Mamdani if the vote were that day, with only 25% saying they would back Cuomo. Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa received the third highest score, with about 14% of respondents saying they would back him if the election were that day.

Where is Eric Adams? Incumbent New York City Mayor Eric Adams planned to run as an independent candidate on the November ballot. Adams continued to poll poorly. Only 28% of respondents reported any favorability towards Adams, and only 5% of voters reported high favorability. Only about 11% of respondents said they would vote for Adams if the election were that day. Adams’ reelection campaign came after months of fighting federal charges of corruption and fraud.

Federal prosecutors indicted Adams last September on allegations of bribery, wire fraud, and soliciting foreign contributions to his campaign. The Trump administration’s DOJ in February requested that prosecutors drop the charges against Adams brought by the previous Biden administration. A federal judge dismissed the mayor’s charges in April, but the case’s impact on his public image may influence his reelection bid.

As both a self-described democratic socialist and a devout Shia Muslim, Mamdani emerged as a controversial candidate. Some Jewish activists take issue with the New York Assemblyman, pointing out his repeated refusal to condemn the phrase “globalize the intifada” and his unwillingness to recognize Israel as a Jewish state. While he has acknowledged Israel’s right to exist, he has also supported the boycott, divestment, and sanctions movement, known as BDS, against Israel.

Dig deeper: Read Lauren Canterberry’s previous report on the primary last month for more about Mamdani’s controversial candidacy.