Ex-Gov. Andrew Cuomo would handily win a ranked alternative Democratic main election for mayor, a brand new ballot projected — as embattled incumbent Eric Adams trailed the pack.
Cuomo dominated the sphere of possible opponents in a ranked-choice election — despite the fact that he hasn’t formally jumped into the race for Metropolis Corridor, in accordance with the ballot, performed by Democratic activist group Progressive Democrats of America.
Right here’s who New Yorkers are backing for mayor in 2026:
Some 32% of these polled picked Cuomo as their favourite candidate, with former metropolis Comptroller Scott Stringer trailing far behind with 10%, adopted by metropolis Comptroller Brad Lander at 8%, Queens state Sen. Jessica Ramos at 7%.
Adams was the best choice of solely 6% of these polled, tying him with Assemblymember Zohran Mandani.
In a projected ranked-choice situation, Cuomo would win on the fifth spherical with 51% of the Democratic vote, to 16% for Stringer, and 14% apiece for Ramos and Lander, in accordance with the ballot.
Adams could be eradicated with simply 8% of the vote adopted by Mamdani, with 7%, the ballot decided.
Brooklyn state Sen. Zellnor Myrie and former Bronx state Assemblyman Michael Blake get 2% every.
Oddly, the survey included former Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. —an Adams ally — who garnered 10%.in a ranked alternative contest.
The ballot, first reported by Politico, was performed between Dec. 16 and Dec. 22.
Adams is looking for re-election whereas combating federal corruption costs and low approval scores.
The survey confirmed 71% of respondents had a adverse view of Adams, in comparison with 22% who had a optimistic view.
By comparability, 48% of Democrats considered Cuomo favorably, whereas 44% stated that they had a adverse view of the governor.
Adams dismissed the survey throughout a press briefing Monday .
He famous that businessman Andrew Yang had a major double digit lead over him in a February 2021 ballot for mayor.
“They had been calling him mayor. They had been measuring the drapes,” Adams stated throughout a press briefing Monday.
“Polls don’t make mayors. Folks do. I don’t concentrate on polls.”
He stated he didn’t begin life on “third base” — maybe a delicate shot at Cuomo, the son of former Gov. Mario Cuomo.
“Nobody handed me an empire,” Adams stated.
Alluding to his authorized and political challenges, Adams stated “it’s so wonderful I’m nonetheless in it. I’m nonetheless right here.”
Specialists questioned if the ballot represented the bigger Democratic voter base within the metropolis.
“It is a ballot from a far left group that clearly over-samples liberal voters and likewise contains two candidates who take straight from the mayor’s base — Cuomo and Diaz — who is not going to run towards Eric—so it’s nonsense,” a supply near the Adams’ marketing campaign stated.
“We all know that within the present subject, Eric is the entrance runner. We additionally know that his numbers enhance when voters hear about his opponents’ irresponsible positions on crime,” the Adams’ insider stated.
Cuomo resigned as governor in August of 2021 beneath the specter of impeachment following a slew of sexual misconduct accusations that he denies.
Cuomo will not be a candidate for mayor however he’s mulling a run.
His camp declined remark.
However a former high Cuomo aide, Melissa DeRosa, stated final month that she reviewed different polls that indicated that Cuomo would win a ranked alternative main if he decides to run.
“[Cuomo] begins out because the clear entrance runner and it’s not simply due to his title ID,” DeRosa stated.
She believes that supporters of former metropolis Comptroller Scott Stringer and state Sens. Zellnor Myrie of Brooklyn and Ramos — all introduced candidates for mayor — are more likely to rank Cuomo as their second alternative.
Stringer’s camp additionally disregarded the survey.
“New Yorkers aren’t going to switch one corrupt showboat with one other who spent eight years promoting out New York Metropolis and cares extra about rehabilitating his personal picture than bettering New Yorkers’ lives,” Stringer marketing campaign spokesperson Alyssa Cass stated.
“Scott is main the present subject and is greatest positioned to shut the curtains on Andrew Cuomo’s potential vainness act.”