A new poll released on Tuesday (August 19th) showed that Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic mayoral candidate in New York, continues to lead with 42% of support. Following Mamdani are former governor Andrew Cuomo with 23%, Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa with 17%, and current mayor Eric Adams with 9%.
The most concerning issues for New Yorkers in the mayoral race remain affordability, housing, and public safety.
According to a recent poll conducted by Gotham Polling & Analytics for the AARP, Mamdani maintains a strong lead with 42% support among registered voters, making him the perceived frontrunner. 8% of voters remain undecided.
Voters express strong dissatisfaction with the current trajectory of the city, as only 9% believe it is heading in the right direction, while the majority (53%) believe it is on the wrong path. Looking ahead, 31% are “very optimistic” that the city’s future can improve under the right leadership, 29% hold a “relatively optimistic” view, and nearly 30% remain “pessimistic” about the city’s future.
The top concerns for voters in this mayoral race continue to be housing affordability, housing supply, and public safety.
The poll surveyed 1,376 registered voters in New York City with a margin of error of plus or minus 3.2%.
Mamdani has taken a more radical approach compared to many established Democratic Party figures, who historically advocate for progressive reforms and avoid expansive tax policies targeting high-income earners. The leading candidate in New York City clearly advocates for a socialist agenda, proposing increased taxes for residents earning over $1 million annually, raising corporate tax rates, and implementing a city-wide rent freeze.
These positions form the core of his campaign platform, focusing on affordability, housing equity, and initiatives such as free childcare and public transportation services, addressing the pain points of New Yorkers.
Analysts suggest that Mamdani is currently well ahead of his competitors, with no one able to easily catch up unless two of the other three candidates drop out, giving a single challenger a better chance against him. Otherwise, as long as there are two or more candidates competing against Mamdani, it works in his favor for victory.