A large number of New Yorkers are hoping to see former Mayor Michael Bloomberg make a comeback if current Mayor Eric Adams steps down or gets pushed out, according to a new poll by Morning Consult. Released on Thursday, the survey shows that nearly half of city residents would support Bloomberg running in a special election, should Adams exit his post amid the ongoing federal investigation and the deepening political turmoil at City Hall.
The poll reveals that 48% of New Yorkers would throw their weight behind Bloomberg, who is now 82, if he aimed to reclaim the mayor’s office he held for three terms from 2002 to 2013. However, not everyone is on board with the idea of a Bloomberg comeback—33% of those surveyed voiced their opposition to his potential candidacy. The results highlight a longing many have for Bloomberg’s leadership, with 60% of respondents believing he made the city a better place during his time in office.
In contrast, former Mayor Bill de Blasio, who served from 2014 to 2022, appears to have lost his shine with the electorate. A significant 54% of New Yorkers expressed that they wouldn’t want to see him make another run for City Hall. Comparatively, only 33% of respondents felt de Blasio improved the city, while 42% believed his time in office worsened conditions.
The poll also shines a light on the ongoing struggles facing Mayor Adams. 58% of respondents disapprove of his performance, while just 29% gave him a thumbs up. Furthermore, only 7% of those surveyed believe Adams is innocent of the corruption allegations, and 57% think he should resign.
“Even if Adams manages to clear his name, our survey shows that he has already been judged by public opinion,” Morning Consult remarked in its analysis. The polling firm further noted that the findings indicate a clear desire among voters for a return to the leadership style of the Bloomberg era.
The poll found that 42% of respondents would be open to a mayoral run from former Governor Andrew Cuomo, who stepped down in 2021 amid sexual harassment allegations, while 41% opposed his candidacy. Cuomo, much like Bloomberg, has maintained a reputation for competence, and a source close to the former governor suggested that the poll reflects a promising landscape for his political comeback.
Other names on the radar include New York State Attorney General Letitia James, who garnered support from 40% of respondents, with 54% of Democrats in her corner. Public Advocate Jumaane Williams and former city Comptroller Scott Stringer also emerged as viable contenders, each receiving backing from about a third of those surveyed.
City Comptroller Brad Lander, state Senator Jessica Ramos, Councilman Joe Borelli, and Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani were also mentioned as possible candidates, albeit with less widespread support.
Overall, the poll paints a grim picture of the city’s current path under Adams, with 56% of respondents believing the city is heading in the wrong direction. Growing worries over the cost of living, affordable housing, and the worsening crises of homelessness, immigration, and crime heavily influenced respondents’ opinions. Seven in ten New Yorkers think the cost of living is getting worse, while two-thirds pointed to housing affordability as a critical issue.
