Democratic mayoral primary winner and state Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani is leading the pack of candidates to potentially govern New York City, a new poll this month shows.
Newsweek reached out to several political analysts via email for comment after publication Thursday.
Why It Matters
The outcome of New York City’s mayoral race is nationally significant as the city remains a major liberal stronghold in the United States. The next mayor will oversee critical issues such as housing, cost-of-living, and public safety, and could shape national debates ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.
The race also marks a test of competing party visions, with Mamdani’s progressive platform facing centrist and independent challenges from Adams and Cuomo. For Cuomo, a former governor who resigned in 2021 amid sexual harassment allegations, it represents a potential political comeback, while Adams seeks redemption following controversy over corruption charges that were later dropped.
The contest’s dynamics may ultimately help define the trajectory of Democratic Party politics in America’s largest city.
What To Know
According to a poll from American Pulse conducted from June 28 to July 1, 2025, Mamdani has 35.2 percent support among New York City likely voters, compared to Cuomo’s 29 percent and Adams’ 13.8 percent.
The likely voters were asked to pick a candidate from a list with the following options: Mamdani, Cuomo, Adams, Guardian Angels founder and Republican Curtis Sliwa, independent Jim Walden, another candidate or not sure. The survey has a margin of error of 4 percent and polled 568 people.
Mamdani garnered the largest percentage of likely voters from 18 to 44 years old, with 49.7 percent. Cuomo’s largest percentage came from the Bronx borough with 44.4 percent, while Adams saw his largest backing from Independents and Republicans with 23.8 percent alike.
When asked how likely they were to vote for Mamdani, 48 percent either said definitely or probably, the poll shows. Nearly 46 percent said anyone else.
Cuomo received the highest percentage among the likely New Your City voters when asked who would do the best job running the city, with 33.5 percent compared to Mamdani’s 32.5 percent. Adams received 12.4 percent.
Mamdani has built his campaign around affordability in the Big Apple and focused on rent freezes. His platform also includes no-cost child care, free buses, city-owned grocery stores and “Trump-proofing” the city.
The democratic socialist’s platform could alienate centrist Democrats and independents critical in pushing him past the finish line in November. Mamdani’s call to implement the Department of Community Safety, if elected, would also place outreach workers in subway stations, a stark difference from Democratic Governor Kathy Hochul’s position of partnering with the New York City Police Department to ensure safety.
Mamdani has been backed by Democratic Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York and independent Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont. He has yet to receive formal endorsements from Hochul or other New York Democratic leaders like Senator Chuck Schumer or Congressman Hakeem Jeffries, despite winning the ticket last week.
Nate Silver also predicted on his Silver Bulletin Substack page that Mamdani could possibly be vulnerable in the general election, as more voters will cast their ballots compared to the primary.
What People Are Saying
President Donald Trump, a New York native, on Truth Social last week: “It’s finally happened, the Democrats have crossed the line. Zohran Mamdani, a 100% Communist Lunatic, has just won the Dem Primary, and is on his way to becoming Mayor.”
He continued: “We’ve had Radical Lefties before, but this is getting a little ridiculous. He looks TERRIBLE, his voice is grating, he’s not very smart, he’s got AOC+3, Dummies ALL, backing him, and even our Great Palestinian Senator, Cryin’ Chuck Schumer, is groveling over him. Yes, this is a big moment in the History of our Country!”
Mamdani on X, formerly Twitter, on Wednesday: “Donald Trump is attacking me because he is desperate to distract from his war on working people. We must and we will fight back.”
Jeffries posted to X on Wednesday: “Stop lying about Assemblyman Mamdani. He is neither a communist nor a lunatic. And New York City doesn’t need to be saved by a wannabe King. Besides, you are too busy destroying America with your One Big Ugly Bill to do anything else.”
What Happens Next
New York City voters will return to the polls on November 4 to decide the city’s next mayor. The outcome of this race will determine the city’s trajectory on pressing issues, including housing, public safety and affordability.
As Adams and Cuomo campaign as independents, the contest is expected to draw national attention and shape the political landscape for upcoming elections.
Update 7/3/25, 11:13 p.m.: A previous version of this article said Newsweek reached out to a political analyst for comment. Attempts to contact several experts began after 9:50 p.m.
Anna Commander
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