Andrew Cuomo has double digit lead over Eric Adams, other NYC mayoral competitors, Quinnipiac poll says

Former Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo has a double-digit lead in the New York City mayor's race, according to the first public poll released since he joined the campaign for the Democratic nomination, and most want Mayor Eric Adams to resign.

The poll by Quinnipiac University puts Cuomo's support at 31%, followed by Adams at 11%.

Coming in third is State Assemb. Zohran Mamdani of Queens, at 8%; followed by Public Advocate Jumaane Williams (who has not announced a campaign) at 7%; former Comptroller Scott Stringer at 6%; current Comptroller Brad Lander at 5%; State Sen. Jessica Ramos of Queens and City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams of Queens (who hasn’t declared her entry) each at 4%; and State Sen. Zellnor Myrie of Brooklyn, former Assemb. Michael Blake and former hedge fund manager Whitney Tilson each at 1%. About 16% percent are undecided.

The primary election is in June. Only Democrats can vote in that party's race.

"Certainly, name recognition is helping both Cuomo and Eric Adams at this point," Quinnipiac assistant poll director Mary Snow told Newsday. "A lot can happen in those months. We have seen front-runners fizzle. But right now it's difficult to say how this is all gonna play out."

Over the weekend, Cuomo officially joined the race, seeking a political comeback 3½ years after resigning the governorship amid scandals. His opponents have scoffed at his claim that the city is in crisis and needs to be saved.

Cuomo in 2021 resigned as governor over allegations he sexually harassed female state employees. Also, an audit found he undercounted the deaths of nursing home patients with COVID-19 by ascribing the deaths to hospitals, and he faced criticisms for an executive order early in the pandemic that required nursing homes to take infected patients. He has denied all wrongdoing.

Adams has a record-low 20% job approval rating, according to the poll, one of the first independent ones of the race, and 56% say he should resign. His disapproval rate is higher among his own party (78%) than Republicans (52%) and independents (63%).

Past polls have put Cuomo in first place, but they were aligned with partisan or groups with a vested interest in the race. Cuomo spokesman Rich Azzopardi declined to comment on the Quinnipiac poll.

This poll was of 1,260 New York City self-identified registered voters, surveyed from Feb. 27 to March 3. The margin of sampling error is +/- 2.8 percentage points. Cuomo officially entered the race on March 1.

By Matthew Chayes

matthew.chayes@newsday.comchayesmatthew

Matthew Chayes, a Newsday reporter since 2007, covers New York City.