Former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, proper, and Queens Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani, left, are main the sphere within the 2025 New York Metropolis Democratic mayoral major, in response to the newest ballot
Images by Lloyd Mitchell
The Democratic major election within the 2025 New York Metropolis mayor’s race seems to be turning right into a two-candidate race between former Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Queens Meeting Member Zohran Mamdani, in response to the newest ballot launched Monday morning.
The survey, performed by the Honan Technique Group in partnership with the town’s 5 Chambers of Commerce, reveals that the average progressive Cuomo has expanded his lead with 45% help amongst probably Democratic major voters—up 4 proportion factors since March. In the meantime, the socialist Mamdani has surged right into a stronger second place, gaining 4 factors because the earlier ballot and climbing to 22%.
Honan Technique Group pollsters performed a ranked-choice voting simulation. Nonetheless, they mentioned it was largely a formality, because the survey discovered Cuomo received 53% of first-choice votes and in the end defeated Mamdani 64% to 36% within the simulated remaining spherical.
“Adams is out of the Democratic Primary race and Cuomo is picking up momentum,” mentioned Bradley Honan of the Honan Technique Group. “Cuomo is over 50% of the vote before ranked-choice voting simulation even begins. The ball game appears to be over before the first pitch is even thrown.”
NYC municipal elections use ranked-choice voting within the occasion a candidate doesn’t acquire a majority of fifty% plus 1 of the vote on the primary poll.
Gathering momentum
Since January, Cuomo’s help has grown by 10 factors. Mamdani, in the meantime, has greater than doubled his standing, leaping from 9% in January to 22% in April.
“New Yorkers know that the city is in crisis and that Governor Cuomo is the only person in this race with the capacity and proven record to turn it around and deliver real results,” mentioned Jason Elan, a spokesperson for the Cuomo marketing campaign, in reacting to the newest polling numbers. “We will continue to fight for every voter the same way Governor Cuomo will fight for every New Yorker.”
The ballot, which surveyed 823 probably Democratic major voters between April 16 and 17, finds the opposite candidates rating within the single digits.
Metropolis Comptroller Brad Lander held regular at 8%, and Metropolis Council Speaker Adrienne Adams remained at 4%. Former Comptroller Scott Stringer dropped to three%, whereas state Sen. Zellnor Myrie (D-Brooklyn) continues to ballot at 2%. Fourteen % of respondents mentioned they’re nonetheless undecided.
The ballot included each frequent Democratic major voters and newly registered “anti-Trump surge voters” — people motivated to vote Democratic partly due to Donald Trump’s re-election marketing campaign.
A ranked-choice voting simulation from the Honan Technique Group’s April 2025 ballot reveals former Gov. Andrew Cuomo defeating Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani 64% to 36% within the remaining spherical of the New York Metropolis Democratic mayoral primaryImage courtesy of Honan Technique Group 
Cuomo and Mamdani are the one candidates to see a gentle enhance in help, per Honan Technique Group pollingImage courtesy of Honan Technique Group
Separate polling this month by AARP New York and the Siena Faculty Analysis Institute positioned Cuomo in 34% of help amongst registered metropolis voters, and Mamdani adopted in second place with 16%. In its ranked-choice voting simulation, Cuomo in the end defeated Mamdani 54% to 27% within the remaining spherical.
Cuomo led the pack within the polls even earlier than formally declaring his candidacy. His progressive opponents have countered his rising momentum by highlighting his governorship file as a cause he shouldn’t return to elected workplace. To this point, their efforts to resurface his previous controversies have executed little to dent his polling numbers.
The 4 New York Working Households Occasion-endorsed candidates – Adams, Lander, Myrie, and Mamdani – held a rally in Metropolis Corridor Park Friday to color Cuomo as “your landlord’s favorite mayoral candidate.” They accused Cuomo of prioritizing landlords over tenants throughout his time as governor, citing his previous opposition to stronger hire protections.
Lander slammed Cuomo on Monday, calling on him to cease utilizing taxpayer cash for his private authorized defenses, after revelations that New York State reportedly spent $2.5 million on authorized charges and $450,000 to settle a sexual harassment case tied to Cuomo. The previous Gov. resigned from his position in 2021 amid a number of allegations of sexual harassment, which he denies.
Lander mentioned Cuomo’s scandals have price taxpayers a reported $63 million and demanded that he fund his personal defamation go well with, which was lately filed in opposition to an accuser. He urged the cash be redirected to housing, training, and public security as a substitute.
“If Cuomo is really in this race for New York City and not himself, he would return the money he’s spent on his personal legal defense and commit to not spend another cent further,” Lander mentioned. “If he refuses, New Yorkers know exactly where his priorities lie.”
When reporters requested about Cuomo’s lead within the polls, Lander mentioned the race is simply beginning, however “some people right now mistake bullies for leaders, but I’m pretty optimistic.”
In the meantime, Mamdani is trying to broaden his attain with Latino voters, with the candidate releasing a two-minute Spanish-language video, highlighting his marketing campaign’s dedication to the neighborhood.
Honan was skeptical about whether or not Mamdani’s path to victory exists; he mentioned the lesser-polling candidates within the race appear content material to keep away from uniting behind him.
“Mamdani is capped at less than 40% and the other progressive candidates have their knives out for him,” Honan mentioned. “Neither Lander nor Stringer wants to play second fiddle to Mamdani.”
