In a poll released Wednesday, only 20% of New York City voters approved Mayor Eric Adams’ job performance, with more than half saying he should resign, indicating he faces a difficult path to reelection this year.
In a poll conducted by Quinnipiac University, Mr. Adams had the lowest approval rate for New York City mayors, as the university began surveying registered voters in the city about 30 years ago. This is a 28% drop in Democrat Mr. Adams received in a poll in December 2023.
The polls were widely dissatisfied with the mayor, including members of his own party. 67% of registered voters and 78% of registered Democrats disapprove of his job performance, with 56% and 72% of Democrats saying he should resign. Only 18% of voters say the mayor facing federal corruption charges is honest and trustworthy.
The poll found that 72% of voters were either very dissatisfied with the direction of the city or somewhat dissatisfied, traditionally dissatisfied with the current mayor.
Mr. Adams' poll numbers were small even before he was indicted last year for five counts. Since then, his situation has become more complicated.
The Justice Department has moved in recent weeks to dismiss allegations of corruption against Mr. Adams so he can assist the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown. Manhattan's top federal prosecutor resigned instead of complying, and he asserted that Mr. Adams had agreed to agree with the Justice Department.
Nearly three-quarters of voters were surveyed 73%, he said they followed the development of Mr. Adams' case, with 71% saying they believed his actions were illegal or immoral.
“It's more in-depth. The mayor is no longer popular and his number has deteriorated. “The story is already much bigger than New York City because it involves the Trump administration, all of which is overwhelming the mayor's number. ”
Mr. Adams' spokeswoman Kayla Mamelak Altus said the mayor focused on increasing work, improving childcare and producing housing.
“The mayor runs to make our city safer and more affordable, and we do it every day – the facts don’t lie,” Ms. Mamelak Altus said. “Mayor Adams and his administration will continue to serve New Yorkers every day as we make our city the best place to raise our family.”
The poll examined nearly 1,300 self-determined registered New York City voters from February 27 to March 3, with a margin of error of 2.8 percentage points.
It found Mr. Adams ranked second among the registered Democrats in the mayoral primary, behind former Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo, who officially competed on the weekend. Mr. Cuomo won 31% of Democrats, while Mr. Adams accounted for 11%.
Several other candidates are not far behind him: State Representative Zohran Mamdani won with 8%. Jumaane Williams, a public advocate of New York City, which has not announced the campaign, owns 7% of the campaign; former city auditor-general Scott Stringer earns 6%. Current auditor-general Brad Lander owns 5%.
City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams, who is considering a run, is the same as state Senator Jessica Ramos of Queens. State Senator Zellnor Myrie from Brooklyn and former State Senator Michael Blake, each surveyed 1%. 16% of voters said they were uncertain, and there were less than four months left before the June 24 primary election.
Mr Rand's spokesman Dora Pekec said the poll clearly shows that New Yorkers are not satisfied with Mr. Adams. She questioned whether Mr. Cuomo was the answer, as he resigned after allegations of sexual harassment. Mr. Cuomo denied wrongdoing.
“Eric Adams can’t lead us through the uncertainty and anxiety of the Trump administration,” Ms. Peck said. “People want someone without scandals and they can lead the city like adults.”
Mr. Mamdani, a Democratic socialist, raised the most money during recent reports, saying his poll numbers show that his campaign “is the best way for progressives to stop Andrew Cuomo from serving Eric Adams’ second term.”
“We don't usually comment on polls, but New Yorkers know Andrew Cuomo is fighting for them, and he has the experience and record needed to save the city in a crisis,” said Mr. Cuomo's spokesman Rich Azzopardi.
Mr. Adams testified before the House Oversight Committee on Wednesday in Washington, D.C., to present New York's status as a sanctuary city. At the hearing, at least two lawmakers asked whether he agreed to conduct a closer study with the Trump administration.
New Yorkers are not happy with how President Trump inserted himself into the city's affairs, polls show. Although 54% of voters expressed opposition to the pricing of congestion, 49% were a diversified majority, disagreeing with the president's attempt to end the plan.
Although the mayor avoided public criticism of Mr. Trump, 56% of voters said they wanted him to stand up on the issue of undocumented immigration.
Mr. Adams had met with the government's border tsar and said he would sign an executive order to allow federal immigration agents to return to the Ricks Island Prison Complex.
Later last week, most commissioners of the New York City Gender Equity Commission appointed by Mr. Adams called on him to resign if he did not formulate a defense to defend immigrants and transgender New Yorkers from government policies.
“Trump is not popular and New Yorkers don't want him to step in,” Ms. Snow said.
The poll found that some mayors’ strongest support actually comes from Republicans, with 35% acknowledging how he handles the job.
Mr. Adams and his team asked about his competition in the Republican primary, but he insisted he was running for Democrats.
