A recent poll indicates that if Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa were to withdraw from the race, Democratic candidate Zohran Mamdani would lead Andrew Cuomo by a narrow margin in the New York City mayoral election. Conducted by Gotham Polling in collaboration with the AARP, the survey reveals that Mamdani would receive 44.6% of the votes, while Cuomo would garner 40.7%. The poll highlights a significant undecided voter demographic, particularly among those over the age of 50, which accounts for nearly 15% of respondents.
As the election landscape shifts, the support for former Governor Cuomo among older voters has seen an increase of nine points since August. This demographic is crucial, especially after the recent announcement that incumbent Mayor Eric Adams has exited the race, having previously run as an Independent. Prior to Adams’ withdrawal, Mamdani held a substantial lead over Cuomo, while Adams struggled to secure even 10% of the vote in a September poll.
Voter Concerns and Potential Impact
Currently, with all three candidates still in the running, Mamdani maintains a double-digit lead, according to reports from the New York Post. Key issues in the mayoral race include the cost of living, housing affordability, and public safety. Stephen Graves, President of Gotham Polling and Analytics, emphasizes that the outcome may hinge on undecided older voters, who are historically a reliable voting bloc. He stated, “If the contest narrows to two leading candidates, the 50-plus electorate will likely determine who becomes the next mayor of New York City.”
Mamdani recently faced criticism on social media after posting a picture with Imam Siraj Wahhaj, an individual labeled an “unindicted co-conspirator” in the 1993 World Trade Center bombing, which resulted in the deaths of six people. In his post on social media platform X, Mamdani referred to Wahhaj as “one of the nation’s foremost Muslim leaders and a pillar of the Bed-Stuy community for nearly half a century.” This incident has sparked backlash and raised concerns regarding Mamdani’s associations.
The survey conducted from October 14-15, 2023, included responses from 1,040 likely voters in New York City, with a margin of sampling error of +/-4 percentage points and a confidence level of 95%. This data provides a snapshot of the current electoral dynamics as candidates prepare for the upcoming election.
As the race develops, the influence of voters over 50 will be key, particularly in light of recent shifts in candidate support and public sentiment. The next steps for each candidate will likely focus on addressing the pressing concerns of New Yorkers as they vie for the mayoral position.
