A new Marist Poll released Wednesday shows Democratic candidate Zohran Mamdani maintaining a commanding lead in the race for New York City mayor, widening the gap between himself and former governor Andrew Cuomo as Election Day draws near.
According to the survey, Mamdani holds 48% support among likely voters, compared with 32% for Cuomo, giving him a 16-point advantage. Republican contender Curtis Sliwa trails with 11%, while 9% of respondents remain undecided.
The poll also suggests that Mamdani’s lead could grow substantially if Sliwa were to exit the race—expanding to 26 points—a scenario that underscores the consolidation of progressive and independent voters behind Mamdani’s campaign.
Marist’s findings reflect a shifting political landscape in New York, where voters appear to favor Mamdani’s progressive platform focused on affordable housing, transit reform, and climate resilience. Cuomo, by contrast, has struggled to rebuild public trust following his resignation as governor in 2021 amid sexual misconduct allegations, despite his efforts to reposition himself as a pragmatic problem-solver.
Political analysts note that Mamdani’s growing support among young voters and communities of color has been key to his momentum. “He represents a new generation of leadership that speaks to the city’s changing demographics and priorities,” said one analyst.
With less than two weeks until Election Day, both campaigns are intensifying their outreach efforts. Cuomo’s team is banking on older, moderate voters to narrow the gap, while Mamdani’s campaign is focusing on turnout in boroughs like Queens and Brooklyn—areas where his grassroots organizing has been particularly strong.
The Marist poll surveyed 1,067 likely voters across New York City and has a margin of error of ±3.5 percentage points.
