Zohran Mamdani is steamrolling the competition for City Hall with a jaw-dropping 20-point lead in the latest poll.
New York Post reported that a Suffolk University “CityView” survey released on Tuesday paints a clear picture: Mamdani, the Democratic nominee, boasts 45% support among likely voters, while independent candidate and former Gov. Andrew Cuomo lags at 25%, Republican Curtis Sliwa scrapes by with 9%, and incumbent Mayor Eric Adams limps along at 8%.
Let’s rewind to June, when Mamdani clinched a decisive victory in the Democratic primary, leaving Cuomo and others in the dust. Since then, his support has surged, particularly among black, Hispanic, and Asian communities. It’s a coalition that’s hard to ignore, even if one questions the progressive policies often tied to such voter bases.
Among black voters, Mamdani commands a whopping 53% support, with Cuomo at 21%, Adams at 10%, and Sliwa barely registering at 2%. That’s a mandate, not a margin, and it suggests a deep trust in Mamdani’s message—though some might wonder if it’s more about charisma than substance.
Hispanic voters aren’t far behind, giving Mamdani 52% of their backing, compared to Cuomo’s 22%, Sliwa’s 8%, and Adams’ 7%. Meanwhile, Asian voters are even more enthusiastic, with 58% supporting the Democratic frontrunner against Cuomo’s 20%, Sliwa’s 9%, and Adams’ measly 4%. If this isn’t a wake-up call for the opposition, what is?
Even among white voters, Mamdani holds a solid 38% lead, with Cuomo at 30%, Sliwa at 13%, and Adams at 9%. It’s a surprising cross-section of support for a candidate often associated with far-left ideals, which might leave traditionalists scratching their heads over what’s driving this wave.
The Suffolk poll also sheds light on what’s keeping New Yorkers up at night: affordability tops the list at 21%, followed by crime at 20%, and the economy and jobs at 14%. Housing, local pushback against certain federal initiatives, and concerns over social equity also rank, though lower. These are bread-and-butter issues, not abstract culture wars, and they demand serious answers.
“This poll shows that the issues New Yorkers really care about in this election are affordability, crime, and the economy,” said David Paleologos, director of the Suffolk University Political Research Center. Well, no surprise there, David—New Yorkers aren’t exactly clamoring for more ideological lectures when rents are sky-high and streets feel less safe.
Yet, one has to ask if Mamdani’s platform truly addresses these gritty concerns or just repackages them in progressive wrapping paper. His rivals, particularly Sliwa with his law-and-order focus, might argue they’re better equipped for the job, even if their poll numbers suggest otherwise.
Cuomo and Adams, both running as independents, face an uphill battle, with Adams notably skipping the Democratic primary amid federal corruption charges that were later dropped. Their split support—25% and 8% respectively—shows a fractured base, unable to mount a real challenge. It’s a sad state for two once-powerful figures who now seem like political relics.
Sliwa, the Republican nominee, can’t seem to break double digits in the Suffolk poll at 9%, though a Marist survey from a week earlier gave him a slightly rosier 17%. Either way, it’s a tough road for a candidate whose tough-on-crime stance resonates with some but clearly not enough.
Other contenders, like Conservative Party nominee Irene Estrada and independents Jim Walden and Joseph Hernandez, barely register in the conversation. Their presence on the ballot feels more like a footnote than a force, which is a shame for those craving more diverse voices in this race.
The Suffolk “CityView” results aren’t a fluke—they align with other recent surveys showing Mamdani maintaining a double-digit advantage. Conducted via live phone interviews with 500 likely voters from Sept. 16 to 18, the poll carries a margin of error of plus or minus 4.4 percentage points, lending it credibility. It’s hard to dismiss numbers this consistent, even if one hopes for a tighter race.
For conservatives and moderates, Mamdani’s lead might feel like a bitter pill, especially when his policies often lean toward expansive government solutions over individual responsibility. Yet, credit where it’s due—his ability to unite diverse voter groups is a political masterclass, whether one agrees with his vision or not.
As the race unfolds, the question remains: Can Cuomo, Sliwa, or Adams find a way to chip away at this towering lead? New Yorkers deserve a contest, not a coronation, and it’s up to these underdogs to prove they’ve got the grit to tackle the city’s toughest problems. For now, though, Mamdani’s grip on the mayoral race looks ironclad.
