A new poll released Sunday, December 10th, by Slingshot Strategies has found that most New York City voters believe Mayor Eric Adams should step down if indicted in the ongoing FBI investigation into his 2021 campaign.
The FBI is currently investigating alleged illegal activities in Adams’ campaign, including possible collusion with the Turkish government and the acceptance of illicit foreign donations.
The survey, detailed by POLITICO, also highlights that in the event of Adams’ resignation, former Governor Andrew Cuomo is a leading candidate for the New York City mayoral position.
Despite resigning in 2021 amid sexual harassment allegations, Cuomo is seen as a potential frontrunner in a hypothetical nonpartisan special election, with about 22% support from surveyed New York City voters.
The results suggest that Cuomo’s established political presence and recognition in New York City’s politics might play a major role in voters’ preferences despite the past controversies.
Jumaane Williams, a progressive city Public Advocate, is Cuomo’s closest competitor in the poll with 15% votes, followed by Kathryn Garcia with 12%, a 2021 mayoral candidate currently working under Governor Kathy Hochul.
Cuomo is considering a bid for mayor of New York City, signaling a potential return to the political arena.
The former governor, who has consistently denied the sexual harassment allegations against him, is actively engaged in a legal campaign funded by taxpayers.
This effort aims to challenge his accusers’ claims and seek to establish his narrative as one of being wrongly accused.
Deputy Mayor Fabien Levy has expressed skepticism about the poll’s accuracy, recalling Slingshot’s past missteps in predicting election outcomes in 2021.
Lavy stated, “Let’s stop spreading false narratives by want-to-be candidates who are not going to be on the ballot. Crime is down and jobs are up, and that’s because Mayor Adams continues to deliver for the working people of this city every day, but attempting to tear down the city’s second Black mayor for blatant political purposes is shameful.”
The poll also reveals a complex racial dynamic in voter opinion. Adams retains strong support among Black city voters, with many in this demographic suggesting he should not resign if indicted, preferring to let the legal process unfold.
However, this view is not widely shared among other racial groups, with a majority favoring his resignation under such circumstances.
This divide extends to job approval ratings across different racial groups, with Hispanic and Asian voters, who were crucial to Adams’ 2021 victory, showing low approval for his performance as mayor.
These results also align with a recent Quinnipiac University poll, which showed the mayor’s approval rating at 28%, marking the lowest level in the past three decades.
