Former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo finds himself in a tight contest for the mayoral race against frontrunner Zohran Mamdani, especially if Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa steps aside, according to a recent poll conducted by Gotham Polling and AARP. The poll indicates that 44.6% of New Yorkers would support Mamdani, while 40.7% would back Cuomo, marking a significant opportunity for Cuomo given the margin of error of just four points.
Currently, when all three candidates remain in the race, Mamdani leads with 43.2% of the vote, compared to Cuomo’s 28.9% and Sliwa’s 19.4%. The poll reveals that a considerable 78% of undecided voters are aged 50 or older, which could play a crucial role in influencing the election outcome. Stephen Graves, president of Gotham Polling & Analytics, emphasized that older voters are the most reliable voting bloc, and their decisions may ultimately determine who becomes the next mayor of New York City.
The methodology of this poll reflects trends from the 2021 general election and indicates an underestimation of Mamdani’s support after his campaign brought on thousands of new young voters, potentially resulting in a more evenly split turnout among age groups.
Cuomo, who is running as an independent after losing the Democratic primary to Mamdani, and Sliwa have both affirmed their commitment to stay in the race. They were among 1,040 likely voters surveyed, with the poll demonstrating that the cost of living is the primary concern for 63.6% of participants, followed by public safety (48.6%) and housing affordability (38.9%).
Nearly 43% of those polled identified as very or somewhat liberal, presenting a solid base for Mamdani, a young assemblyman who emerged as the victor in the Democratic primary amid established political figures like Cuomo and former Mayor Eric Adams, who has since exited the race.
Cuomo, at 67 years old, criticized Mamdani’s political experience during the first of two mayoral debates last week. Following the debate, Cuomo labeled Sliwa a “spoiler” in the race, urging him to step aside for a clearer path to victory against Mamdani. Meanwhile, Sliwa, at 71, countered by suggesting that Cuomo should be the one to withdraw.
As the campaign unfolds, the weight of decision rests on New York’s mature voters, with AARP New York State Director Beth Finkel noting that these pressing issues resonate not only with older adults but with New Yorkers of all ages. This sentiment underscores the potential for voters to make informed choices that could shape the future leadership of the city, highlighting the importance of civic engagement across generations as the mayoral race progresses.