Polls Show Cuomo Leading Mamdani in NYC Mayoral Race

Zohran Mamdani currently leads the crowded New York City mayoral race, polling at 42%, ahead of Andrew Cuomo at 26%, Republican Curtis Sliwa at 17%, and incumbent Mayor Eric Adams at 9%. However, in a hypothetical one-on-one matchup, Cuomo would defeat Mamdani 52% to 41%, suggesting that Mamdani's path to victory may not be straightforward, especially as no candidates are likely to drop out. Mamdani faces criticism for his perceived soft-on-crime policies, which could be a significant vulnerability given voter concerns about public safety. Prominent figures have called on Mamdani to retain NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch, but analysts argue this is unrealistic due to policy differences. Conservative commentator Bill O’Reilly warned that a Mamdani administration might struggle with city agencies and police, highlighting Mamdani’s lack of executive experience and contentious relationship with law enforcement. Despite these challenges, Mamdani’s campaign counters that Cuomo is aligned with Donald Trump and interests that do not serve everyday New Yorkers, framing the race as a choice between progressive change and establishment politics.