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Chicago Tribune
07-07-2025
- Politics
- Chicago Tribune
NYC Mayor Adams says Andrew Cuomo is pushing him to drop out of race to maximize chances against Democratic nominee Zohran Mamdani
New York City Mayor Adams said Monday that ex-Gov. Andrew Cuomo is privately urging him to drop out of November's mayoral election, as their moderate wing of the party scrambles to find a way to maximize their chances of beating Democratic nominee Zohran Mamdani. In a morning appearance on CNBC, Adams said he has no intention of heeding Cuomo's call — arguing the former governor's the one who should end his campaign so he can take on Mamdani, a democratic socialist, in the Nov. 4 contest. 'I said, Andrew: 'Are you that level of arrogance?'' Adams said, describing a recent conversation in which he alleged Cuomo encouraged him to drop out. 'I'm the sitting mayor, I'm the sitting mayor of the City of New York and you expect for me to step aside when you just lost to Zohran by 12 points?' The mayor, who often claims he doesn't discuss private conversations, continued: 'They heard your message and you lost. Now let a fresh set of legs that has produced for this city [run the race].' Sources familiar with the matter told the Daily News that the Cuomo camp's outreach to Adams' team has centered on a proposal to commission an independent poll testing each of them in head-to-head general election matchups against Mamdani. The idea, the sources said, would be that whoever between Cuomo and Adams performed best in such a scenario would stay in the race, while the other would drop out and endorse the remaining candidate. Cuomo spokesman Rich Azzopardi declined to comment on private conversations, but confirmed the ex-governor favors running a poll to determine who should be the anti-Mamdani candidate. Specifically, Azzopardi said Cuomo wants to run that poll in September. Azzopardi also took a shot at Adams, calling him 'anathema to Democrats and unelectable.' 'We do not see any path to victory for Mayor Adams,' Azzopardi said. 'This is the time to put aside the usual political selfishness and agree to do what is truly best for all New Yorkers … We call on other candidates to do the same.' There have been no major polls of the general election yet, but some early surveys show Cuomo edging out Adams. That includes an American Pulse poll released last week that found Mamdani winning the race with 35% of the vote, while Cuomo finished second, holding 29%. In that survey, Adams finished fourth with 14%, behind Republican mayoral nominee Curtis Sliwa's 16%. Adams, who dropped out of the June 24 Democratic mayoral primary this spring, is running for reelection on an independent line in November. Facing record low approval ratings and fundraising struggles amid continued fallout from his federal corruption indictment, Adams' bid for reelection is widely seen as an uphill battle. But Frank Carone, Adams' longtime confidant who helps lead his reelection campaign, argued the mayor has a long runway to turn the political tides before November and signaled his team isn't interested in the Cuomo camp's independent poll proposal. 'To suggest a 'poll' four months ahead of the election should have any significance is ridiculous,' Carone told The News. Though he lost the Democratic primary, Cuomo's name will also appear on November's ballot on an independent line no matter what, as the deadline has passed to remove it. Cuomo hasn't definitively said yet whether he's going to mount a genuine general election effort. His team says he continues to consider his options after his stunning primary loss against Mamdani, who defeated him by a 56%-44% margin. As the Democratic nominee, Mamdani holds a big advantage in November, given that registered Democrats vastly outnumber other voters in the city. He ran a primary campaign centered on proposals to increase taxes on the wealthy, freeze the rent for stabilized tenants, drastically expand subsidized childcare and make public buses free. Cuomo, Adams and other moderate forces in New York, including business leaders, have sought to blunt Mamdani's momentum by portraying him as too left-leaning, arguing his policy platform is unrealistic and slamming his criticism of Israel's war in Gaza. As they share similar moderate bases of support, Cuomo and Adams would likely hamper each other's chances if they both actively campaign in November's contest. Responding to Monday's back-and-forth between Cuomo and Adams, Mamdani spokesman Andrew Epstein noted his candidate received more than 545,000 votes in the Democratic primary, the most of any mayoral hopeful in 36 years. 'In the coming months, Zohran looks forward to growing this coalition and reaching new voters with his vision for an affordable New York City,' he said. Former New York Gov. David Paterson, who endorsed Cuomo's mayoral run, was the latest moderate Democrat to come out Monday in favor of local business and civic communities lining up behind one independent candidate in pursuit of beating Mamdani. But Paterson declined to say whether Cuomo or Adams should be that candidate. 'Help us put together a search and an understanding of which one of these candidates not only would win the election, but could govern the city,' Paterson said at a press conference in Midtown held with right-wing radio host Sid Rosenberg and billionaire businessman John Catsimatidis. In addition to Adams and potentially Cuomo, Sliwa — who netted nearly 30% of the vote in the 2021 mayoral election — is the Republican candidate in the November race. Attorney Jim Walden is also running on an independent ballot line. 'I'm not dropping out no matter who talks to me,' Sliwa said Monday, adding he hasn't heard from either the Cuomo or Adams camps about coalescing behind one candidate. Some on the right have urged President Trump to offer Sliwa a federal job to get him out of the mayoral race in order to shore up support for Adams, whose friendly relationship with Trump has endeared him to Republicans. Sliwa, the founder of the Guardian Angels, told The News he wouldn't be interested if Trump made such an offer. 'Politely, I would say: Mr. President, I am only interested in one job and that's being mayor,' he said. Cuomo, who resigned as governor in 2021 amid sexual and professional misconduct accusations, has largely stayed out of the public spotlight since his primary loss. His team continues to maintain the ex-gov remains a prolific potential candidate in the November showdown. In making that case, his team has noted Cuomo received 24,000 more votes in last month's election than Adams did in the 2021 Democratic mayoral primary he won.
Newsweek
03-07-2025
- Politics
- Newsweek
Zohran Mamdani's Chances of Beating Cuomo, Adams in NYC Race: Poll
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Democratic mayoral primary winner and assemblyman Zohran Mamdani is leading the pack of candidates to potentially govern New York City, a new poll this month shows. Newsweek reached out to a political analyst via email for comment Thursday. Why It Matters The outcome of New York City's mayoral race is nationally significant as the city remains a major liberal stronghold in the United States. The next mayor will oversee critical issues such as housing, cost-of-living, and public safety, and could shape national debates ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. The race also marks a test of competing party visions, with Mamdani's progressive platform facing centrist and independent challenges from Adams and Cuomo. For Cuomo, a former governor who resigned in 2021 amid sexual harassment allegations, it represents a potential political comeback, while Adams seeks redemption following controversy over corruption charges that were later dropped. The contest's dynamics may ultimately help define the trajectory of Democratic party politics in America's largest city. What To Know According to a poll from American Pulse conducted from June 28 to July 1, 2025, Mamdani has 35.2 percent support among New York City likely voters, compared to Cuomo's 29 percent and Adams' 13.8 percent. The likely voters were asked to pick a candidate from a list with the following options: Mamdani, Cuomo, Adams, Guardian Angels founder and Republican Curtis Silwa, independent Jim Walden, another candidate or not sure. The survey has a margin of error of 4 percent and polled 568 people. Mamdani garnered the largest percentage of likely voters from 18 to 44 years old, with 49.7 percent. Cuomo's largest percentage came from the Bronx Borough with 44.4 percent, while Adams saw his largest backing from Independents and Republicans with 23.8 percent alike. When asked how likely they were to vote for Mamdani, 48 percent either said definitely or probably, the poll shows. Nearly 46 percent said anyone else. Cuomo received the highest percentage among the likely New Your City voters when asked who would do the best job running the city, with 33.5 percent compared to Mamdani's 32.5 percent. Adams received 12.4 percent. Mamdani has built his campaign around affordability in the Big Apple and focused on rent freezes. His platform also includes no-cost child care, free buses, city-owned grocery stores and "Trump-proofing" the city. The democratic socialist's platform could alienate centrist Democrats and independents critical in pushing him past the finish line in November. Mamdani's call to implement the Department of Community Safety, if elected, would also place outreach workers in subway stations, a stark difference from Democratic Governor Kathy Hochul's position of partnering with the New York City Police Department to ensure safety. Mamdani has been backed by Democratic Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York and Independent Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont. He has yet to receive formal endorsements from Hochul or other New York Democratic leaders like Senator Chuck Schumer or Congressman Hakeem Jeffries, despite winning the ticket last week. Nate Silver also predicted in his Silver Bulletin Substack page that Mamdani could possibly be vulnerable in the general election, as more voters will cast their ballots compared to the primary. New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani can be seen attending the 2025 New York City Pride March on June 29, 2025, in New York City. (Photo by) New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani can be seen attending the 2025 New York City Pride March on June 29, 2025, in New York City. (Photo by) What People Are Saying President Donald Trump, a New York native, on Truth Social last week: "It's finally happened, the Democrats have crossed the line. Zohran Mamdani, a 100% Communist Lunatic, has just won the Dem Primary, and is on his way to becoming Mayor." He continued: "We've had Radical Lefties before, but this is getting a little ridiculous. He looks TERRIBLE, his voice is grating, he's not very smart, he's got AOC+3, Dummies ALL, backing him, and even our Great Palestinian Senator, Cryin' Chuck Schumer, is groveling over him. Yes, this is a big moment in the History of our Country!" Mamdani on X, formerly Twitter, on Wednesday: "Donald Trump is attacking me because he is desperate to distract from his war on working people. We must and we will fight back." Congressman Jeffries on X on Wednesday: "Stop lying about Assemblyman Mamdani. He is neither a communist nor a lunatic. And New York City doesn't need to be saved by a wannabe King. Besides, you are too busy destroying America with your One Big Ugly Bill to do anything else." What Happens Next New York City voters will return to the polls on November 4, 2025, to decide the city's next mayor. The outcome of this race will determine the city's trajectory on pressing issues, including housing, public safety, and affordability. As Adams and Cuomo campaign as independents, the contest is expected to draw national attention and shape the political landscape for upcoming elections.
New York Post
03-07-2025
- Business
- New York Post
Mamdani is NYC mayoral front-runner — as poll shows socialist beating Cuomo, Adams, Sliwa
Democratic socialist nominee Zohran Mamdani is the front-runner to win the general election for Big Apple mayor but could be vulnerable if anti-Mamdani voters coalesce around one opposition candidate, a new poll released Thursday claims. The American Pulse survey shows Mamdani with the support of 35% of general election voters, ex-Gov. Andrew Cuomo with 29%, Republican Curtis Sliwa with 16% and incumbent Mayor Eric Adams at 14% and another independent candidate, Jim Walden, at 1%. 'Mamdani has an early lead and a clear message, but deeper scrutiny may erode enthusiasm among general election voters,' said American Pulse pollster Dustin Olson. 6 According to the American Pulse survey, Mamdani leads all candidates, coming in at 35%. Kyle Mazza/NurPhoto/Shutterstock He said there are 'warning signs flashing all around' the 33-year Queens assemblyman. 'It's possible some voters already have buyer's remorse. When they hear about government-run grocery stores or Mamdani's continued refusals to denounce 'Globalize the Intifada,' which many folks — including me — consider to be an antisemitic slogan, support softens,' the right-leaning pollster said. Still, nearly every analyst had wrongly predicted Cuomo would defeat Mamdani in the ranked-choice Democratic primary — with the Emerson College Poll's last survey among the exceptions. So, general election polling should be taken with a grain of salt. Mamdani defeated Cuomo 56% to 44% in the ranked-choice primary. 6 Former NY Govrnor Andrew Cuomo takes two minutes outside to speak with the NY Post after losing in the Democratic mayoral primary election to Zohran Mamdani. Matthew McDermott But Mamdani now faces a broader swath of voters who may not be on board with his leftist proposals that include imposing $9 billion in new taxes on the wealthy and corporations and shifting the property tax burden to 'richer and whiter' neighborhoods to pay for free buses and child care, city-run grocery stores and housing expansion. His opposition to Israel — including support of the boycott, divestment and sanctions movement against the Jewish state — also could be more of an issue than in the Democratic primary. But at least for now, Mamdani is blessed by a multi-candidate field that splits the opposition vote — making it easier for him to win the general election. 6 Eric Adams speaks prior to the opening night session during the Women/Men's Singles First Round matches on Day One of the 2023 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on August 28, 2023 in Queens, New York. Getty Images Cuomo, 67, is facing pressure not to run an active campaign in the general election under the 'Fight & Deliver' ballot line. Civil rights activist Al Sharpton has urged him to step aside, and unions that backed him in the primary are now supporting Mamdani as the Democratic nominee, while others weigh backing Adams, 64. But the Cuomo camp is touting the latest poll, indicating he's the strongest candidate against Mamdani in the general election, and incumbent Adams is the one who should drop out of the race. Pollster Olson said Adams is cooked. 'The common thread through multiple questions is that Mayor Adams' core support is somewhere between 10% and 13%, so he may not know it yet, but his path is closed,' he explained. 6 Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa came in at 16% according to the American Pulse survey. Adams is seeking re-election as an Independent on the EndAntiSemitism and Safe&Affordable ballot lines. Cuomo hasn't made a final decision on whether he will run a campaign. His name will be on the ballot regardless. Mamdani's lead still holds after voters are told some of his proposals and controversial positions. 'Mamdani support holds steady at 34.4%, virtually unchanged, and Cuomo sits at 29.5%. Cuomo barely budges the numbers even after people hear about Mamdani's government-run grocery stores and what looks like Mamdani's antisemitism,' Olson said. 6 Zohran Mamdani delivers remarks at a primary victory celebration with leaders and members of the city's labor unions in Manhattan, New York, United States, on July 2, 2025. Kyle Mazza/NurPhoto/Shutterstock The survey claimed that Mamdani's support is fragile. Voters were asked whether they would vote for Mamdani or 'anyone else. Voters were split 48% choosing Mamdani and 46% said anyone else. When told of his positions, Mamdani's support drops to 44% while 50% said anyone else. But the scandal-scarred Adams and Cuomo's baggage may turn voters off even more. 6 New York City Mayor Eric Adams arrives for Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch's State of the NYPD address on January 30, 2025 in New York City. Getty Images Sixty-two percent of voters had an unfavorable view of Adams, while 52% viewed Cuomo negatively. Mamdani had more voters view him favorably — 47% to 42% unfavorable. 'Can Mamdani weather the scrutiny of his agenda? Will the rest of the field's baggage start taking the headlines again? The answers to those questions will determine the race,' Olson said. American Pulse Research & Polling surveyed 568 likely voters from June 28 to July 1 via live telephone interviews, text, robo calls and an online panel. It has a margin of error: +/- 4.0%. It was paid for by its subscribers and not any campaign.
