A surprising new poll has revealed that Zohran Mamdani, a Democratic Socialist and Queens Assemblyman, holds a commanding lead in New York City’s mayoral race — leaving his rivals with little chance of victory, even if they were to consolidate their efforts against him.
The survey, conducted by Zenith Research/Public Progress Solutions and released Tuesday, shows Mamdani with support from 50% of likely voters, putting him well ahead of his competitors for the November general election. The results suggest that his path to City Hall is strong, despite the presence of high-profile opponents with far more traditional political resumes.
Cuomo, Sliwa, and Adams Far Behind
Former Governor Andrew Cuomo, attempting a political comeback after his loss to Mamdani in the Democratic primary, garnered just 22% support, placing him a distant second. Republican nominee and Guardian Angels founder Curtis Sliwa received 13%, while scandal-ridden former Mayor Eric Adams, now running as an independent, captured a mere 7%.
The poll, which surveyed 1,000 likely voters, underscores how weak the opposition to Mamdani is heading into the fall. Even in hypothetical head-to-head matchups, none of his rivals comes close to overtaking him.
Head-to-Head Scenarios Still Favor Mamdani
In a one-on-one contest with Cuomo, Mamdani still leads 55% to 40%. Against Adams, the margin is even wider, with Mamdani projected to win 59% to 32%.
Both Cuomo and Adams suffer from serious public perception issues. According to the poll:
- 60% of voters said they would never consider voting for Cuomo.
- A staggering 68% said they would never support Adams.
These high unfavorability ratings continue to haunt both campaigns, despite their attempts at rebranding and reengagement with voters.
United Opposition Still Can’t Stop Mamdani
The poll also explored what might happen if either Cuomo or Adams dropped out and endorsed another candidate. The result? Mamdani remains the frontrunner in every scenario.
- If Cuomo drops out, Mamdani would win with 55%, followed by Sliwa at 16%, and Adams at 14%.
- If Adams bows out, the impact is similarly negligible.
Even a combined opposition effort appears incapable of slowing Mamdani’s momentum.
A Socialist Path to City Hall?
Mamdani’s rise marks a dramatic shift in New York City politics. At just 33 years old, the Democratic Socialist has built a strong, energized base — particularly among younger and progressive voters — and seems poised to reshape the city’s political landscape if current trends hold.
With general election day approaching and his rivals struggling to gain traction or shake off deep negative perceptions, Mamdani’s campaign appears to be cruising toward victory.
