Poll: Cuomo clear leader in hypothetical run for NYC mayor

A new poll of potential Democratic voters gives former Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo a 25-point lead over Mayor Eric Adams and other likely party challengers ahead of June's New York City mayoral primary.

The poll of 769 likely voters shows Cuomo leading the field, with 35% of respondents; followed by New York City Comptroller Brad Lander, with 10%; Adams is tied at with 9% with Assemb. Zohran Mamdani; former city Comptroller Scott Stringer is at 8%; State Sen. Jessica Ramos is at 6%; and State Sen. Zellnor Myrie is at 3%.

Twenty percent of those surveyed remain undecided, according to the survey by the Manhattan-based Honan Strategy Group, which conducts polls on behalf of Democratic candidates.

"The mood among Democratic primary voters is very negative," pollster Bradley Honan said in an online briefing about the poll results. "They're very fearful and anxious about the future of New York City."

The poll was conducted using text messaging and a website questionnaire.

More than 80% of respondents disapprove of Adams' term as mayor, with 85% weighing in against him being reelected, according to the poll. 

Cuomo has yet to say whether he plans to run for mayor. Adams is seeking reelection following a federal indictment on bribery and campaign finance charges. The other Democratic mayoral candidates have already launched their campaigns.

Adams’ spokesperson Kayla Mamelak, in an emailed statement, touted the mayor's efforts to reduce crime and make the city more livable.

"The Adams administration is dedicated to making New York City the best place to raise a family," Mamelak said, "and Mayor Adams has been clear that this means making our streets safer and more affordable, and improving quality of life for working-class New Yorkers."

Cuomo spokesperson Rich Azzopardi said it was "premature" to speculate on the former governor's future, but he described him as "a Queens boy who loves New York and will always help any way he can to have it succeed, and New Yorkers know he worked day and night for them."

The poll targeted city Democrats who have a history of voting in Democratic primaries and were likely to take part in the one set for June 24. It also accounted for expected higher participation among "anti-Trump" Democrats in June and a likely surge in the number of younger, progressive and predominantly female voters, Honan said.

Results of the latest poll reflect the sentiment of the city on par with the months following the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks and the COVID-19 pandemic, he said.

"These numbers are as alarmingly negative as those seminal points in New York City's history," Honan said. "Those are the underlying headwinds that create an enormous challenge for Adams."

The poll gives Cuomo an even larger lead in a ranked-choice vote, predicting Adams would be eliminated after five rounds of voting and giving Cuomo a 58% to 17% lead over Lander.

Cuomo also leads on name recognition and ranks high in favorability, compared with the announced candidates in the race, despite his resignation as governor in 2021 following sexual harassment allegations.

Stringer leads the field in favorability, with 53% approval, followed by Cuomo at 50%.

Adams trails, with 83% of likely voters having an unfavorable opinion of his stewardship of the city.

Cuomo also tops the poll related to specific issues, including crime, working with the MTA, addressing the influx of immigrants to the city and standing up to the Trump administration.

The survey shows that three-quarters, or 75% of Democratic potential primary voters, view the city as headed in the wrong direction, with about 23% of voters stating crime as their primary concern. About 45% of those surveyed said they will leave the city if conditions don't improve.

By John Asbury

john.asbury@newsday.comJohnAsbury

John Asbury is a breaking news and general assignment reporter. He has been with Newsday since 2014 and previously worked at The Press-Enterprise in Riverside, California.