News Summary
A new poll shows Zohran Mamdani has surged in the NYC Democratic primary for mayor, now only two percentage points behind frontrunner Andrew Cuomo. With early voting approaching, the political landscape is heating up as affordability becomes a key issue for voters. Mamdani’s proposals focus on freezing rents and increasing taxes on the wealthy, while Cuomo emphasizes affordable housing and law enforcement. The support dynamics reveal significant backing for Mamdani among younger voters as he gains traction in a competitive race.
New York City – A new poll indicates that Zohran Mamdani has surged in the Democratic primary race for mayor, narrowing the gap against frontrunner Andrew Cuomo to just two percentage points. According to a recent survey conducted by Data for Progress, Cuomo holds a slight lead at 51% compared to Mamdani’s 49%, a difference that falls within the poll’s margin of error of 3%. This shift adds to the escalating tension as voters prepare for early voting, which begins on June 17, and the primary election set for June 24, 2025.
The Data for Progress poll was conducted between May 30 and June 4, 2025, among a sample of 819 likely Democratic voters. This marks a dramatic increase in support for Mamdani, who was trailing Cuomo by 40 points as recently as March. In a previous poll by Emerson College on May 28, Cuomo led Mamdani with 54.4% to 45.6% when factoring in ranked-choice voting in its tenth round. However, Cuomo’s internal campaign polling suggests a more considerable lead, showing him ahead of Mamdani by 12 points, at 56% to 44% in the final round of ranked-choice voting.
Mamdani’s campaign has focused heavily on issues of affordability, proposing policies such as freezing rents on stabilized units, making bus rides free, and establishing city-owned grocery stores in each of the five boroughs. Additionally, he has called for tax increases on corporations, the wealthy, and universities to help fund these initiatives. Contrarily, Cuomo has centered his campaign on building affordable housing, increasing policing, and addressing concerns over federal cutbacks.
According to the Data for Progress poll, about 28% of likely voters are unfamiliar with Mamdani and have not yet formed an opinion about him. However, those who are familiar with him rate their feelings favorably at 58% compared to 15%, while Cuomo holds a near-even split of 48% favorable to 49% unfavorable among the same group.
Political analysts highlight that early indications show voter demographics playing a crucial role in the race, with Cuomo holding strong support among Black voters and older demographics. In contrast, Mamdani’s base includes significant backing from younger voters and white voters. The “DREAM” strategy, promoted by the Working Families Party, urges voters to avoid ranking Cuomo on their ballots, which could potentially enhance Mamdani’s standing in the election.
Polling data has consistently underscored affordability as a leading concern among voters. An April Siena College poll revealed that 94% of respondents viewed affordability as a significant issue, underscoring the relevance of Mamdani’s campaign platform. The political climate could shift further with Mamdani recently securing an endorsement from Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, which may significantly bolster his recognition among voters.
The ranked-choice voting system utilized in this primary allows voters to rank up to five candidates, providing a mechanism that could favor rising candidates like Mamdani as votes consolidate. Conversely, the Cuomo campaign has initiated advertising efforts to counter Mamdani’s advancements, portraying him as a proponent of higher taxes and funding cuts to police departments.
Political analysts suggest that Cuomo’s past controversies and ongoing challenges may influence public perception, potentially benefiting Mamdani as the race progresses. The narrowing gap in the polls and Mamdani’s strategic campaign focus have created a compelling narrative as voters prepare to cast their ballots in the upcoming primary.
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Additional Resources
- Politico
- Wikipedia: New York City
- USA Today
- Google Search: Cuomo Mamdani New York Mayor
- The Nation
- Google Scholar: New York Mayoral Race 2025
- NY Post
- Encyclopedia Britannica: New York City Mayor
- Forward
- Google News: 2025 New York Mayor Election
