In a stunning shift on the eve of New York City’s Democratic primary, Queens Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani has overtaken former Governor Andrew Cuomo in a pivotal ranked‑choice voting simulation, according to a fresh Emerson College–PIX11–The Hill poll released today. Republican leader Vivek Ramaswamy reacted to the poll and urged New Yorkers to move to Ohio. “There’s a better way: move to Ohio. True cross-section of America, with 4 full seasons, and an industrial boom ahead. Zero capital gains tax starting in 2027 & headed to zero income tax from there. Top state to raise a young family & give our kids a world-class education – soon,” he wrote.Cuomo leads narrowly with 35 per cent in first-choice standings, while Mamdani follows at 32 per cent, and Comptroller Brad Lander trails at 13 per cent. In ranked‑choice outcome, after successive elimination of lower‑ranked candidates, Mamdani pulls ahead in the eighth round with 52 per cent to 48 per cent, marking the first time he tops Cuomo in a major public survey.Mamdani and Lander have cross-endorsed each other, urging their supporters to rank the other candidate second on their ballots. The cross endorsement is one of the several major developments this polling captures for the first time.Conducted June 18-20, the poll reveals that Mamdani’s first‑choice support has risen sharply from 22 per cent in May to 32 per cent in June, while Cuomo has edged up modestly from 34 per cent to 35 per cent. Mamdani leads decisively among voters under 50, college‑educated individuals, and Asian and white demographics. Cuomo remains ahead among voters aged 50+ and Black and Hispanic communities Early voters favored Mamdani by nearly 10 points. However, Cuomo retains a slight edge among those planning to vote on Tuesday, June 24.Polymarket showed Mamdani, a 33-year-old second-term Assembly member, ahead of Cuomo in the morning in the city’s unusual ranked-choice voting primary election. New York City’s ranked‑choice voting system, adopted in 2019, empowers voters to rank up to five candidates. If no candidate earns a majority in the first round, the last‑place candidate is eliminated and their votes redistributed.“This is an outlier: Every other credible poll in this election — including two released last week — has shown Governor Cuomo with a double-digit lead, which is exactly where this election will end tomorrow. Between now and then, we will continue to fight for every vote like he will fight for every New Yorker as Mayor,” a spokesperson for Cuomo told PIX11 News in a statement.
