Cuomo dominates again in new NYC poll but Democratic Socialist Zohran Mamdani surges into second place

Ex-Gov. Andrew Cuomo holds a commanding lead in the Democratic primary race for New York City mayor while Democratic Socialist Zohran Mamdani has surged into second place, according to a new poll released Wednesday.Cuomo is supported by 38% of Democratic primary voters followed by Mamdani with 10%, Mayor Eric Adams with 8%, city Comptroller Brad Lander and state Sen.Jessica Ramos with 6% apiece, former Comptroller Scott Stringer with 5% and 4% each for Council Speaker Adrienne Adams and state Sen.

Zellnor Myrie, the Emerson College/Pix11/The Hill survey found.Nearly one in five Democrats — 18% — are undecided or support someone else.Another 2% of Dems favored financier Whitney Tilson followed by former Assemblyman Michael Blake with 1%.Cuomo’s support increased from 33% to 38%, up five points since the Emerson pollster last surveyed the race in early February, before he entered the race on March 1.Mamdani’s backing shot up from barely registering at 1% in February to 10% in the latest poll — surpassing all the other candidates except Cuomo.It’s the second poll this week showing Mamdani surging into second place, but still way behind Cuomo.The Democratic primary will be held June 24, preceded by a week of early voting.It’s Cuomo’s race to lose, said Spencer Kimball, executive director of Emerson College Polling.“With about three months until the Democratic Primary, Governor Cuomo has emerged as thetop candidate in the race, with no clear alternative emerging among Democratic voters,” said Kimball.The survey also found that Cuomo is in a strong position to win a ranked choice voting primary.He is the second choice of 10% of voters.His strength is among minority and older voters, the pollster saidThe survey shows Cuomo pulling nearly half of both black (47%) and Hispanc voters (45%), the poll found.“Cuomo’s support generally increases as voters’ age increases, going from 21% among votersunder 30 to 44% of voters over 70,” Kimball said....