Democratic nominee Zohran Mamdani is now ahead by 13 points over former Gov. Andrew Cuomo in the New York City mayoral race, per the new polling average from Decision Desk HQ’s (DDHQ).
Polling Shows Mamdani as Front-Runner
Combining both independent and internal campaign polls, the average puts Mamdani at the front of the five-candidate race with 38.1% support, while Cuomo—now running as an independent after losing the Democratic primary—follows at 25%.
Republican Curtis Sliwa takes third place with 15%, trailed by Mayor Eric Adams, who is also running as an independent, with 11.5%. Former assistant U.S. attorney Jim Walden, running without party backing, has just over 1%.
Mamdani Gains Steam
Previous polling had shown Mamdani with a smaller advantage and less solid support for a Democrat in the liberal city. Since upsetting Cuomo in June’s primary, Mamdani has worked to rally Democratic voters, although some high-profile endorsements were slow to materialize.
In the last few weeks, Mamdani’s margin has grown as Cuomo’s has dipped; he’s also locked in endorsements from key New York Democrats, such as Rep. Jerry Nadler and Rep. Adriano Espaillat—who changed allegiances after backing Cuomo in the primary.
Opposition Vote Remains Split
The crowded line-up has prompted talk among non-Mamdani contenders about possibly splitting the vote against him in November. Cuomo has suggested that the field unite behind whoever is the strongest challenger by September.
Despite this, both Adams and Sliwa—who trail Cuomo in polls—have insisted on staying in the race, suggesting that opposition to Mamdani will remain divided.
With less than three months to go before the general election, the race is a battleground for coalition-building and voter loyalty, and Mamdani’s gains may be evidence of his growing appeal among New Yorkers.
