New York City Democratic mayoral nominee Zohran Mamdani has opened a 13-point lead over former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, according to Decision Desk HQ’s (DDHQ) newly created polling average tracking the race.
Polling Average Shows Mamdani on Top
The average, which incorporates both independent and campaign-affiliated polls, shows Mamdani leading the five-candidate field with 38.1% support. Cuomo, running as an independent after losing the Democratic primary, sits in second with 25%.
Republican nominee Curtis Sliwa holds 15% in third place, closely followed by incumbent Mayor Eric Adams, who is seeking reelection as an independent, with 11.5%. Independent candidate Jim Walden, a former assistant U.S. attorney, trails far behind with just over 1%.
Momentum Shifting Toward Mamdani
Mamdani’s position marks a turnaround from earlier polling that suggested his lead was narrower and his support softer than typical for a Democratic nominee in the heavily blue city. Since his surprise primary victory over Cuomo in June, Mamdani has been working to unify Democratic voters, a task complicated by some party leaders withholding endorsements.
In recent weeks, however, Mamdani has seen steady gains in support while Cuomo’s numbers have slipped. He has also secured high-profile backing from prominent New York Democrats, including Rep. Jerry Nadler and Rep. Adriano Espaillat, the latter of whom supported Cuomo during the primary.
Rivals Resist Calls to Consolidate
The crowded race has raised concerns among the non-Mamdani candidates about splitting the anti-Mamdani vote in November’s general election. Cuomo has floated the idea of candidates rallying behind whoever is in the best position to challenge Mamdani by September.
But Adams and Sliwa, who consistently trail Cuomo in second-place polling, have firmly rejected the notion of dropping out, setting the stage for a potentially fractured opposition vote.
With less than three months until Election Day, the five-way contest is shaping up to be a test of coalition-building and voter loyalty. Mamdani’s growing lead suggests he may be succeeding where his rivals are struggling: convincing New Yorkers he is the candidate to beat.
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