Mamdani Surges Ahead in NYC Mayoral Polls

On the eve of New York City's Democratic mayoral primary, Queens Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani is now projected by several major polls to narrowly defeat former Governor Andrew Cuomo in the eighth round of ranked-choice voting simulations. While Cuomo retains a lead in first-choice votes, Mamdani’s surge is attributed to grassroots organizing, viral outreach, and endorsements from Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Sen. Bernie Sanders, and other progressive leaders. Strategic alliances with other progressive candidates have further bolstered Mamdani's support among younger and immigrant voters. Cuomo's campaign has dismissed the latest Emerson College poll as an outlier, though months of polling show Mamdani's growing momentum. Other polls, such as Marist, still show Cuomo ahead but acknowledge Mamdani's rapid rise. The final outcome remains within the margin of error and will depend on the ranked-choice vote tabulation after Election Day.