Democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani, a 33-year-old state assembly member born in Uganda, remains a frontrunner in the New York City mayoral race despite incumbent Mayor Eric Adams suspending his reelection bid, according to political analysts on Monday.
Mamdani has consistently polled ahead of his main competitor, former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, with five weeks left until Election Day. President Donald Trump's continuous attacks on Mamdani may further bolster his standing among New Yorkers who oppose Trump's policies.
Since his surprising victory in the Democratic primary in June, Mamdani's momentum has continued, garnering endorsements from key figures like former Vice President Kamala Harris and New York Governor Kathy Hochul, as well as substantial financial support from grassroots donors.
Adams' decision to halt his independent reelection campaign has essentially turned the race into a two-candidate contest between Mamdani and Cuomo, who resigned as governor in 2021 amidst sexual harassment allegations and is now running as an independent.
Political analyst Basil Smikle from Columbia University's School of Professional Studies noted Mamdani's significant lead over Cuomo and suggested that a major shift would be needed for Mamdani to lose that advantage.
Mamdani refrained from commenting on the implications of Adams' withdrawal, emphasizing that the core issues affecting New Yorkers, particularly the city's high cost of living, remain unchanged.
A recent poll by Marist University conducted prior to Adams' exit showed Mamdani leading with 45% support, followed by Cuomo at around 24%. Adams and Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa trailed with 9% and 17% respectively. Subsequent polling indicated Mamdani maintaining a strong lead over Cuomo, even factoring in the impact of Adams' withdrawal.
Trump's endorsement of Cuomo following Adams' departure was met with criticism, with the former president launching another attack on Mamdani, claiming he relies on Trump's financial support for his "FAKE Communist promises." Political observers like Christina Greer from Fordham University believe such attacks could inadvertently boost support for Mamdani.
Mamdani has outpaced Cuomo in fundraising, collecting $15 million compared to Cuomo's $9 million, mainly from a record number of small donations. However, Cuomo's campaign may see a resurgence in donations from business interests concerned about Mamdani's progressive platform, which prioritizes affordability issues over the interests of wealthy New Yorkers.
Despite potential financial backing for Cuomo, Mamdani's strong position in the race and his focus on key issues facing New Yorkers suggest he maintains a solid advantage as the election approaches.
