A new poll released Tuesday shows former Governor Andrew Cuomo holding a lead in the crowded Democratic primary for New York City mayor � but the rapid rise of socialist Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani is sounding alarm bells among Jews, moderate Democrats, and party insiders.

According to the Siena College/AARP survey, Cuomo is the top first-choice pick with 34% support, followed by Mamdani at 16%. Though Cuomo ultimately defeats Mamdani in the ranked-choice projection � 64% to 36% in the final round � Mamdani�s growing base and the race�s volatility have sparked fresh anxiety among establishment figures.

Mamdani is a radical leftist who accuses Israel of genocide in Gaza, and has said he would have Israeli PM Binyamin Netanyahu arrested if he steps into New York City.

�There�s no denying Cuomo remains the frontrunner,� said Siena College pollster Don Levy. �But Mamdani�s strength as a second-choice candidate and his rising name recognition make this a race to watch � especially with 20% of voters still undecided.�

The ranked-choice format, which eliminates candidates round by round while redistributing their voters� next preferences, shows Cuomo failing to break the 50% mark until the eighth round. By then, Council Speaker Adrienne Adams and former Comptroller Scott Stringer had already been eliminated. Comptroller Brad Lander, another progressive, topped out at 19% before being eliminated in round nine.

Mamdani � a Democratic Socialist from Queens closely aligned with the DSA � has been steadily chipping away at Cuomo�s early dominance. His performance in the polling has raised eyebrows, especially as concerns grow within moderate and business-friendly circles about the potential for a far-left candidate to win a citywide election.

�This should be a wake-up call,� said one Democratic strategist not affiliated with any campaign. �A socialist finishing second in early polling for New York City mayor? That would�ve been unthinkable a few years ago.�

While Cuomo maintains a lead, his campaign has not been without stumbles. On Tuesday, he was denied $2.7 million in public matching funds due to filing errors. The campaign also released a typo-ridden housing plan that drew ridicule, and misidentified two prominent union leaders while announcing their endorsements.

Still, Cuomo has notched key endorsements, including a significant one from the Hotel and Building Trades Council, a powerful union whose support signals institutional backing that could help shore up his position.

Meanwhile, the absence of incumbent Mayor Eric Adams from the Democratic primary field � he is pursuing a re-election bid via an independent ballot line � has left the race wide open and increased the stakes for the June 24 primary.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)