New York City’s mayoral race has tightened significantly as Election Day approaches, with Andrew Cuomo narrowing Zohran Mamdani’s lead by half, according to a new Suffolk University poll. The survey, conducted from October 23 to 26 among 500 likely voters, shows Mamdani at 44% and Cuomo at 34%, while Curtis Sliwa holds 11%. Approximately 7% of respondents remain undecided.
Cuomo’s gains follow the endorsement of Mayor Eric Adams, who had initially launched a bid for re-election as an independent before dropping out and throwing his support behind Cuomo. David Paleologos, director of Suffolk University’s Political Research Center, noted the impact of Sliwa’s voters, who hold the 11% that could potentially determine the outcome. When asked for a second choice, 36% of Sliwa supporters favored Cuomo compared to 2% for Mamdani.
The poll highlights a significant shift among Hispanic and independent voters. Cuomo, who trailed Mamdani by 30 points among Hispanic voters in September, now holds a narrow lead in that demographic and has flipped his position with independents, leading by 10 points. Paleologos emphasized that while Mamdani remains ahead, Cuomo is beginning to stage a comeback, contingent on consolidating support from Sliwa’s base.
Cuomo’s campaign emphasized momentum, with spokesperson Rich Azzopardi asserting, “This is a two-man race, momentum is on our side, and the more New Yorkers learn about how dangerously inexperienced Zohran Mamdani is ‒ and about his extremist agenda ‒ the less they like what they see.” The former governor has also spotlighted concerns about Mamdani’s policy proposals and his criticism of Israel, framing his opponent’s candidacy as a potential risk to city governance.
With early voting underway and turnout surging among older voters, analysts note that the final days of the campaign could be pivotal. Paleologos observed that Mamdani’s support has not declined, but Cuomo’s growth in certain demographics has introduced a new element of suspense in what had previously appeared to be a decisive Democratic victory.
