Overview
- Polls still place Zohran Mamdani first against Andrew Cuomo, with recent surveys showing margins from roughly 4.5 to 16 points and one late poll narrowing the gap to 44%–39%.
- More than 735,000 New Yorkers cast early ballots, roughly four times the 2021 early total, pointing to elevated interest in a contest that could hinge on later-round preferences.
- New York’s ranked-choice system could prove decisive if Curtis Sliwa’s supporters list Cuomo next, a scenario analysts say may reshape the tally if no candidate tops 50% on first choices.
- President Donald Trump urged voters to pick Cuomo over Mamdani and labeled the Democrat a “communist,” while Barack Obama privately praised Mamdani’s campaign in a weekend call.
- Seeking to calm business concerns, Mamdani met with corporate leaders, drew a conciliatory note from JPMorgan’s Jamie Dimon, and signaled continuity on policing by keeping Commissioner Jessica Tisch.