Mayor Eric Adams responded to a recent third-party poll that showed him trailing in the mayoral race by downplaying its significance and taking a subtle jab at former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who currently leads the field. At a press conference on Monday, Adams held up a printout of a 2021 article from The Independent that highlighted Andrew Yang’s lead in the race, emphasizing that polls do not determine the outcome of an election. Despite trailing behind Yang earlier in the race, Adams expressed confidence in his ability to secure the mayoral seat, noting that he is the candidate to watch.
In the 2021 Democratic primary for the open mayor’s seat, Adams overtook Yang, who had been leading in the polls for months. However, this year, Adams faces challenges as an unpopular incumbent who has been indicted. Unlike Yang, who was a newcomer to New York politics at the time, Cuomo has a proven track record of winning statewide elections.
A recent poll conducted by Hart Research Associates and commissioned by Progressives for Democracy in America revealed that Adams tied for sixth place in the Democratic primary, with only six percent of likely voters selecting him as their first choice in a ranked-choice election. In contrast, Cuomo led the field with 32 percent support. The poll also showed that Cuomo would win in a ranked-choice scenario, further solidifying his frontrunner status.
Despite his low poll numbers, Adams remains optimistic about his chances in the mayoral race, drawing on his personal underdog story of rising from a working-class background to become mayor. He hinted at a possible attack on Cuomo for his role in reforming the state’s bail process, which Adams claims contributed to a rise in crime. While Adams has refrained from directly criticizing Cuomo, other mayoral candidates like Brad Lander have been vocal in their opposition to the former governor’s potential candidacy.
Lander, who ranked third in the Progressives for Democracy in America poll, emphasized the importance of keeping “corrupt chaos agents” out of City Hall, alluding to Cuomo’s controversial tenure as governor. With Stringer and Lander emerging as strong contenders in the race, Adams faces stiff competition as he navigates the challenges of running for reelection while facing federal corruption charges.
As the mayoral race heats up, candidates are positioning themselves as viable alternatives to established politicians like Cuomo, highlighting their commitment to serving the people of New York City. With the primary election looming, voters will have the opportunity to choose the candidate they believe will best represent their interests and lead the city into a new era of governance.
