The results of the first post-primary mayoral poll show Democratic candidate Bill de Blasio with a wide lead over Republican Joe Lhota.
According to a Wall Street Journal/NBC 4 New York/Marist poll survey released Tuesday night, 65 percent of likely voters are for the city’s public advocate, de Blasio, 22 percent support the former MTA chairman, Lhota, and 3 percent back Independence candidate and former Bronx Borough President Adolfo Carrion. One percent are for another candidate and 9 percent are undecided.
“Joe Lhota must attract many Democrats to be competitive against the heavily favored Bill de Blasio, and right now, that’s not happening,” says Dr. Lee M. Miringoff, director of the Marist College Institute for Public Opinion. “De Blasio is very well-liked and is cornering the market on most of the issues and qualities that matter to voters.”
Though de Blasio and Lhota have the support of the majority of their party voters, de Blasio attracts more support from GOP voters than Lhota receives from Democrats.
According to the poll results, 77 percent of likely Democratic voters support de Blasio, 13 percent are for Lhota and 1 percent Carion. Sixty-three percent of likely Republican voters are for Lhota, 25 percent are for de Blasio and 5 percent Carrion. Among non-enrolled voters, 50 percent support de Blasio, 24 percent back Lhota and 9 percent are for Carrion.
When it came to who the voters thought could handle the issues facing the city, most thought de Blasio would do the best job. But voters were more divided on would be better at handling crime prevention and the city’s finances.
The poll surveyed a total of 930 registered voters and 632 likely voters on Sunday and Monday.
Responding to the poll, Lhota spokeswoman Jessica Proud said in a statement Tuesday, “We always knew we’d be the underdog in this race and once New Yorkers learn more about Bill’s radical policies, they will be looking for a practical alternative. Joe’s experienced leadership and solutions to expand the middle class will resonate with everyday New Yorkers in all five boroughs.”
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