
Zohran Mamdani Gets Major Polling Boost in New York Mayoral Race
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
Zohran Mamdani is leading other candidates by double-digits in New York City's mayoral race, according to a new poll from Gotham Polling & Analytics.
Newsweek has contacted Mamdani's campaign for comment via email outside regular business hours. Incumbent mayor Eric Adams' campaign and a spokesperson for former governor Andrew Cuomo have also been contacted for comment via email,
Why It Matters
Mamdani, a 33-year-old democratic socialist, won New York City's Democratic mayoral primary last month in a stunning upset for Andrew Cuomo, after running an energetic campaign focused on lowering the cost of living. He has promised free city buses, free child care, a rent freeze for people living in rent-stabilized apartments, government-run grocery stores and more, all paid for with taxes on the wealthy.
Cuomo, the former governor who is seeking a political comeback from the sexual harassment that led to his resignation in 2021, conceded defeat on the night of the primary, but is weighing whether to mount a campaign as an independent candidate.
The general election field also includes incumbent New York City mayor Eric Adams, who said he would run as an independent rather than seek the Democratic nomination again following backlash over his indictment on federal corruption charges. The case has been dismissed, and Adams has denied wrongdoing.
The field also includes independent candidate Jim Walden and Republican Curtis Sliwa.
Zohran Mamdani, Democratic candidate for New York City mayor, speaks during a press conference celebrating his primary victory with leaders and members of the city's labor unions on July 2, 2025 in New York.
Zohran Mamdani, Democratic candidate for New York City mayor, speaks during a press conference celebrating his primary victory with leaders and members of the city's labor unions on July 2, 2025 in New York.
Angela Weiss/AFP via Getty Images
What To Know
Mamdani is leading with 41 percent, followed by 26 percent for Cuomo and just 16 percent for Adams, according to the survey by Gotham Polling & Analytics, first reported by the New York Post. Sliwa had just under 10 percent of support.
The poll surveyed just over 1,000 voters between June 30 and July 2.
According to the Post, the survey was aimed at drumming up support for Adams' reelection bid and was "heavily skewed when surveying voters to try to boost Adams' numbers and tarnish others."
Still, both Cuomo and Adams' numbers appear to be dragged down by their scandals.
More than half—51 percent of voters—said they would never vote for Adams, while 39 percent said the same about Cuomo. Some 46 percent said the same for Mamdani.
What People Are Saying
Stephen Graves, of Gotham Polling & Analytics, told the Post: "If both [Cuomo and Adams] are in the race anywhere near the election, Mamdani can go pick out drapes for Gracie Mansion.
"If [Adams or Cuomo] drops out, [the other has] a chance, but based on this, Cuomo has the better chance."
Adams' campaign spokesman Todd Shapiro told the Post: "Let's be clear: Andrew Cuomo spent nearly $30 million in the primary and was soundly rejected by voters. If all that money and national attention translates to just a two-point lead in one early poll, that's not a show of strength—it's a ceiling.
"Meanwhile, Mayor Adams is just beginning to campaign, and as more voters hear his message and see the facts, that gap will close and the momentum will shift decisively."
Cuomo spokesperson Rich Azzopardi told The Associated Press last week: "We'll be continuing conversations with people from all across the city while determining next steps."
Mamdani said on X last week: "I am humbled by the support of more than 545,000 New Yorkers in last week's primary. This is just the beginning of out expanding coalition to make New York City affordable. And we will do it together."
What's Next
Voters will go to the polls to decide the city's next mayor on November 4.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
16 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Tillis retirement puts North Carolina Senate seat up for grabs
Sen. Thom Tillis's (R-N.C.) decision to not seek reelection to another term has scrambled the field for what will be one of the most competitive Senate races in the country next year. The North Carolina Senate race was already going to be one of the most-discussed contests of the 2026 midterms as one of the two main targets for Democrats hoping to at least narrow the Republican majority in the body. But with Tillis out, the race appears set to become even more hotly contested as big names on both sides of the aisle are floated as potential candidates, including Lara Trump and former Gov. Roy Cooper (D). 'I think it's changed the calculus tremendously because … Tillis was going to be not impossible but difficult to beat,' said North Carolina Democratic strategist Doug Wilson. Tillis had previously demonstrated his electoral strength in challenging races in a battleground state, winning his Senate elections in 2014 and 2020 by less than 2 points. Democrats were hopeful in particular that they had an opportunity to oust Tillis in 2020, as former state Sen. Cal Cunningham (D) led the incumbent in the polls throughout most of the race. But his campaign was derailed late by reports that Cunningham was having an affair, and Tillis pulled off a win as President Trump also narrowly carried the state in the presidential race. Democrats previously acknowledged the challenge they would face in defeating Tillis for a third term but expressed hope, especially if the popular former two-term Gov. Cooper enters the race. Cooper has been considering a bid, but the North Carolina-based NBC affiliate WRAL reported that he won't decide for at least a few more weeks. Former Rep. Wiley Nickel (D-N.C.), who served one term in the House before he decided against seeking reelection after redistricting made his district substantially more conservative, has already launched his candidacy for Senate. The 2026 Senate map doesn't have many obvious pickup opportunities for Democrats despite history suggesting that political headwinds should favor them with Republican control of the White House and Congress. Maine will be a top target for the party, with Sen. Susan Collins being the only incumbent Senate Republican up for election next year in a state that voted for former Vice President Kamala Harris. Although success in North Carolina has eluded them in recent federal elections, Democrats are hoping they can finally get over the hurdle next year. The party realistically needs to win both states to even think about winning the Senate next year, along with wins in other states that are more of a reach, like Texas, all while defending its current seats. Democrats and Republicans both expressed optimism about their chances in the Tar Heel State with the news of Tillis's retirement. 'President Trump has won North Carolina three times, and the state's been represented by two Republican Senators for over a decade,' said Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.), the chair of Senate Republicans' campaign arm, in a statement. 'That streak will continue in 2026 when North Carolinians elect a conservative leader committed to advancing an agenda of opportunity, prosperity, and security.' Maeve Coyle, a spokesperson for Senate Democrats' campaign arm, called Tillis's decision 'another blow to Republicans' chances as they face midterm backlash that puts their majority at risk.' She vowed that Democrats would flip the seat. In the aftermath of Tillis's announcement, several North Carolina Republicans have been floated as possible candidates for the GOP nod. Lara Trump, the president's daughter-in-law and the former co-chair of the Republican National Committee (RNC), may be the most notable name. A source confirmed to The Hill earlier Monday that she is considering a run. Given her ties to President Trump and his status as the most influential figure in the GOP, she would likely be the clear favorite for the Republican nomination if she enters. Republican strategist Doug Heye, who has worked on multiple races in North Carolina, said Lara Trump will have the 'right of first refusal.' RNC Chair Michael Whatley, who previously led the North Carolina GOP, may have a strong case that it should be him if Trump declines. 'He can say, 'I've worked at the Senate. I know how it works, and by the way, I've won North Carolina for Trump twice,'' Heye said. A GOP operative who's worked in North Carolina Senate races said the expectation would be that only one of them would enter the race, but not both. Trump and Whatley worked together at the RNC. The operative said many are excited at the possibility of having a Trump on the ballot but added that Whatley is also a strong candidate who has shown an ability to raise the resources necessary in an expensive state. Other names under serious consideration include GOP Reps. Richard Hudson, the chair of the National Republican Congressional Committee, and Pat Harrigan. President Trump threatened to intervene in the primary even before Tillis's public announcement, saying he would interview possible candidates. The Hill reported earlier Monday that this came after Tillis texted Trump telling him to think about his replacement in the Senate. The operative argued that Tillis didn't have the coalition to win in November, given growing frustration from Republicans and moderates. 'It was definitely not an easier path than a generic candidate we would have or will have,' the operative said. 'Now who that candidate is [is] going to have a big part in where the race goes.' Members of both parties acknowledged the race appears fully up for grabs and said they expect millions of dollars to pour into the state. More than $260 million was spent throughout Tillis's 2020 cycle, according to the ad-tracking firm AdImpact. Wilson said Tillis demonstrated his independence with votes on legislation like former President Biden's gun control law following the 2022 Uvalde, Texas, shooting, and the CHIPS and Science Act. The state party censured him over certain stances that strayed from the party platform. Wilson said whichever candidate is the Republican nominee will be representing a party that has become more 'Trumpified,' helping Democrats make it a referendum on the president. 'Tillis was going to be hard to beat, but with that said, now it's an open game,' he said. In one positive sign for Democrats, the election handicapper Cook Political Report shifted its rating of the race from 'lean Republican' to 'toss up' after Tillis's announcement. But Heye noted much remains uncertain, with many untested candidates looking at a run. He argued Cooper hasn't before faced as tough a race as he would if he runs, while Republicans like Lara Trump and Whatley haven't faced voters before. 'We call them first-time candidates for a reason,' he said about Trump and Whatley. 'We know what they are on paper. We never know how a first-time candidate is until they start running.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
16 minutes ago
- Yahoo
David Hogg doubles down after controversy: ‘I'm not going away'
David Hogg is making it clear he's not going anywhere — whether Democrats like it or not. The 25-year-old gun control activist opted not to run again for his post at the Democratic National Committee after his decision to get involved in primaries sparked intense backlash. But Hogg has continued to be active on the political scene, meeting with New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani and encouraging primary challenges for Democrats who support U.S. intervention in Iran. While some Democrats have welcomed him back into the fold since his exit, other members of the party fear he could be a hindrance as they prepare for the midterms. Regardless of what his fellow party members think of him, though, Hogg has made it clear he's here to stay. 'I'm not going away,' he told The Hill in his first interview since his announcement to forgo running for DNC vice chair. 'What people are trying to do is focus on talking about me a lot of the time, when really it's because they don't want to talk about the fact that we do have a real problem — a real problem with comfortability and competition,' he said, 'and they don't want to acknowledge the uncomfortable truth, which is that we have to dramatically change as a party and what brought us here, is not what's going to get us out.' Hogg has remained an outspoken member of the party more than a week since he decided not to run again for a DNC vice chair spot. On X, he has called out lawmakers as hypocrites for questioning paying for the price of universal health care or canceling student debt while not raising concerns over the price of another war. He also said prior to the bombing of Iranian nuclear sites over the weekend that any Democrat who supports war with the Islamic Republic needs to be primaried, adding that that his generation 'grew up going through two multi trillion dollar wars we should have never been involved in.' Ahead of the New York City mayoral Democratic primary on Tuesday, he appeared alongside Mamdani, with his group Leaders We Deserve endorsing the New York State assembly member. The New York Times reported that the group also contributed $300,000 to a Working Families Party super PAC, which ranks Mamdani first on its slate of endorsed candidates. Hogg told The Hill that since he's decided to forgo running again within the DNC, he's called his supporters to thank them and said he's been focused on his Leaders We Deserve group. 'There's a lot of work that we got to do, too, to recruit candidates around the country and find the best seats for them to run in, and vet them and do all that we can to support them,' he said, noting the group's 'been looking increasingly into Virginia' in addition to being focused on the midterms. Hogg's involvement in party primaries while a vice chair at the DNC drew intense backlash from fellow Democrats. Now that he's no longer in that position, questions are growing about what role he should play in the party going forward. 'I want to see our party grow,' said Democratic strategist Antjuan Seawright, who was critical of Hogg during his brief tenure at the DNC. 'I want to see our infrastructure strengthen.' 'I want to see our coalition rebuild and expanded, and if he can contribute to that without being [a] distraction, then we welcome that,' he added. Seawright, who served as an adviser to former DNC chair Jaime Harrison, said it's 'yet to be determined' whether Hogg is a distraction or a problem for the party. Matt Bennett, executive vice president for public affairs at the center-left Third Way noted that Hogg's 'got a point' that there are some lawmakers who aren't as effective as they used to be because they've aged. At the same time, he questioned the use of resources toward supporting challenging incumbents, saying 'spending $20 million to beat Democrats in primaries is the wrong use of resources' right now. Leaders We Deserve is quick to point out that its $20 million investment is not entirely going toward challenging Democratic incumbents but toward a host of other efforts, too. 'We're challenging incumbents, but we're also doing open seats. We're also going to do red-to-blue races, and we're going to continue doing state legislative work as well,' said, Kevin Lata, co-founder and executive director of the political group. 'The sum total of what we're doing is going to cover all of that,' he added. New York state Sen. James Skoufis, a Martin ally who was named as a member of the DNC's 'People Cabinet,' has been particularly critical of Hogg. 'I don't want anyone to be a public-facing member of the party who is intent on sowing divisions and whose actions will make it more difficult for us to rebuild our brand and start winning elections again,' he said. It's a fraught time to be a Democrat. The party's approval ratings are abysmally low, members are desperately looking for the right leaders and messengers to take on President Trump in his second term and questions remain over how Democrats can win back key voting blocs it struggled with, such as young men and Latinos. Adding to the urgency for the party is the Trump administration's decision to move forward with military intervention in Iran over the weekend, actions that drew swift condemnation from many Democrats. Hogg hasn't been the only one under scrutiny; Martin has garnered criticism from some within the party over how he's helmed the DNC since becoming chair in February. The DNC chair has sought to brush off the criticism in a statement, saying: 'Some people in D.C. just want to win an argument, but I'm focused on winning elections,' pointing out the party has over-performed or won in 30 elections this year alone. Hogg, who spoke with The Hill prior to the bombings in Iran, views the disputes directed toward him as 'strategic disagreements,' saying he doesn't take them personally and emphasizing his efforts are about strengthening the party. And he made it clear that the party wasn't going to be able to improve its brand 'with the same cast of characters that brought us here.' 'This isn't about me, it's about the party, and it's about fostering healthy competition, a healthy culture of competition in the party, to make sure that we have the best representatives possible, so that we never have another situation like' what we had last cycle, Hogg told The Hill. A clear source of tension was the fact that Hogg was engaging in primaries as a DNC officer. Some DNC committee members told The Hill they welcomed the idea of having him partner with the national committee after he decided against running for his vice chair spot. Members of the party, too, still want to see the gun control activist remain a clear presence within the party and believe he has a special role to play. 'I think his voice is critical,' said Maria Cardona, a Democratic strategist and DNC member who voted for Hogg in the February election. 'I hope that David Hogg will now move forward and do what he does best, which is to give those who don't believe they have a voice, a voice in the system that desperately needs everyone's participation in order to work as it should,' she said. Cardona said she hoped to see Hogg mobilizing younger voters, registering them to vote and help encourage young people to run for office. Adam Green, co-founder of the Progressive Change Campaign Committee, said Hogg was dialing into the 'the zeitgeist' of what both Democratic base voters and swing voters 'are feeling right now, which is [the] Democratic Party needs a different vibe.' Even some Hogg skeptics or members of the party who might ideologically differ with him believe he has the potential to play an important role in the party, particularly as someone who can mobilize and engage with his young generation. 'We need more common-sense gun reform, and David Hogg can help with that, and I would love to work with him on that,' said Jon Kott, a Democratic strategist who served as a top aide to former Sen. Joe Manchin ( 'I think David Hogg brings energy to a younger generation that doesn't vote. David Hogg can help get those people out to vote. I'd love to work with him on that.' Hogg left the door open to partnering with the DNC, saying he'd be happy to have a conversation with them, including working with them after primaries when the attention is focused on the general election. 'Happy to do that, because I do care about us having unity,' he said. 'What I care about far more than that, though, is making sure that we are trying to change things, and that we're united in getting Democrats elected.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
19 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Janelle Stelson launches Congressional campaign
(WHTM)– Democrat Janelle Stelson announced Monday that she's launching another congressional campaign to try to unseat Republican Scott Perry in the 10th Congressional District. Stelson narrowly lost to the seven-term Congressman in 2024 by just over 1%. Additionally, her campaign says she significantly outperformed former Vice President Harris in the 10th Congressional District. However, Stleson was plagued by criticism throughout her campaign due to her not living in the district. She said during the abc27 debate in 2024 that she lived in Manheim Township, Lancaster County, 'a few miles over the arbitrarily drawn line.' Stelson says she has already garnered bipartisan support for a second run. Governor Josh Shapiro is expected to join her as a special guest for an event later this week. 'Scott Perry has spent more than a decade in DC taking votes that hurt us instead of delivering results — and he just sold the US out again by casting the deciding vote for the largest Medicaid cuts in history, all to fund more tax cuts for billionaires,' Stelson said. 'I'm running to give central Pennsylvanians the voice they deserve, and to fight to lower costs, protect social security and Medicare, ensure a woman's right to choose, and secure the border.' The National Republican Congressional Committee responded to Janelle Stelson's announcement, once again taking a jab at her for not living within the district she seeks to represent. 'Welcome back to certified loser Janelle Stelson! If there's one thing we know for sure, it's that Janelle Stelson, who won't even bother to live in the district she wants to represent, doesn't stand a chance against Scott Perry. Pennsylvanians have rejected her before, and they'll gladly do so again in 2026.' NRCC Spokeswoman Maureen O'Toole Dauphin County Commissioner Justin Douglas announced he was considering a campaign for the 10th Congressional District last week. The 10th District covers all of Dauphin County and parts of Cumberland and York counties. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.