Mamdani political liability in NY suburbs, but still uber-popular in NYC: poll

Mayor Zohran Mamdani is politically toxic in the Big Apple’s surrounding suburbs, but maintains strong support in New York City, a new poll finds.

The Siena College survey of 811 likely statewide voters revealed that 47% of respondents had a favorable view of Mamdani while 44% had an unfavorable view.

In New York City, 69% of voters had a favorable view of their new socialist mayor, while just 24% had an unfavorable view.

But 60% of suburban voters had an unfavorable view of Mamdani, while just 34% had a favorable view.

Upstate was more split, with 41% of likely voters liking the mayor and 46% disapproving.

The numbers illustrate a key reason why state Republicans are trying to tie Gov. Kathy Hochul and other Democratic opponents to the lefty leader, especially in swing suburban districts this year.

“Suburbanites fear Mamdani,” said John McLaughlin, a pollster for GOP gubernatorial candidate Bruce Blakeman and President Trump.

“Hochul endorsed Mamdani for mayor. She created him. Whatever Mamdani does reflects on her,” he said.

Nassau County Republicans successfully swept countywide races last year, in part by featuring Mamdani in campaign mailers and ads attacking their Dem opponents, McLaughlin noted.

The suburbs also aren’t kind to Hochul, only 40% of voters view her favorably and 57% unfavorably. Upstate voters registered nearly the same displeasure.

But New York City, 59% of voters gave Hochul a thumbs up, compared to 31% who gave her a thumbs down.

While Republicans use Mamdani as the bogeyman outside the Big Apple, his popularity and following can help pull out the vote for Hochul and Democrats in the five boroughs, strategists said.

“Will Mamdani help Hochul in New York City this year? Absolutely. His support can’t hurt,” said Manhattan Democratic Party leader Keith Wright.

Statewide, nearly 80% of black voters gave Mamdani a thumbs up, as did 72% of young voters ages 18 to 34, according to the Siena poll.

A staggering 66% of Jewish voters view him unfavorably, the highest negatives from any religious group.

Among older voters 55 and over, 51% dislike Mamdani while just 38% had a favorable view of him.

Mamdani is more popular than his left-wing political group, the Democratic Socialists of America. Only 30% of voters view the DSA favorably, 47% unfavorably and nearly one-quarter had no opinion.

Said Siena College pollster Steven Greenberg, “No question Mamdani can be helpful to Hochul with the vote in New York City.”

But he said there were two “double edged swords.”

“How does Hochul deal with Mamdani and how does Blakeman handle President Trump?” Greenberg asked.

Sixty percent of state voters have an unfavorable view of Trump compared to 38% who like him.

Blakeman, a close pal of Trump, has given his answer to that question.

Trump will stump with Blakeman during a visit to Long Island on Friday.