A JL Partners survey for the Daily Mail indicates a growing unease among New York City voters regarding the prospective election of mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani. According to the poll, a significant number of New Yorkers forecast a sharp decline for the city should the democratic socialist candidate secure victory in the November 4 election.
The poll results, which have placed Mamdani 15 points ahead of former New York state governor Andrew Cuomo, suggest a commanding lead for the 34-year-old candidate. Mamdani has garnered 46 percent of decided voter support, while Cuomo has 31 percent, followed by Republican Curtis Sliwa with 22 percent support.
Mamdani's support base is notably strong amongst younger voters. In the under-30 demographic, he holds a substantial 35-point lead over Cuomo. Among Democrats, Mamdani commands a majority of 54 percent support, markedly higher than Cuomo's 26 percent.
However, the survey revealed stark apprehensions about what a Mamdani administration might mean for America's largest metropolis. Non-supporters, when asked to describe New York after four years under Mamdani's potential leadership, employed terms such as "disaster," "chaos," "hell," and "broken."
Crime and safety concerns were emphasized in the polling data. Forty-seven percent of respondents believe crime and violence levels would exacerbate under Mamdani, while only 32 percent expect an improvement in safety. These fears come in the wake of recent high-profile subway incidents, including the killing of a homeless woman and a spike in felony assaults and subway push incidents.
Age is a significant factor in perspectives on safety; 49 percent of voters under 30 believe safety would enhance under Mamdani, while only 26 percent of voters over 65 think the city would become safer.
Economic anxieties are also prominent, with 43 percent of New Yorkers expecting a decrease in the number of businesses, and concerns about terrorism have not been assuaged—39 percent anticipate an increased risk.
The issue of antisemitism is particularly challenging for Mamdani. Forty-five percent of respondents think antisemitic views would worsen during his tenure, a sentiment not alleviated by a controversial photograph with Imam Siraj Wahhaj, who was named as an unindicted co-conspirator in the 1993 World Trade Center bombing.
One area where voters see potential improvement is housing affordability. Thirty-nine percent believe housing would become more affordable under Mamdani, a view supported by 52 percent of Democrats compared to 19 percent who disagree.
