The poll results emerge as Cuomo relaunched his campaign as an independent following his primary defeat by Mamdani.

Among the many buzzy campaign promises that helped Zohran Mamdani clinch the Democratic mayoral primary last month, one has spawned both confusion and heated debate: municipal-owned grocery stores, which he says guarantee cheaper prices,

The former governor made his pitch to Wall Street, attacking Zohran Mamdani’s “unrealistic proposals and divisive agenda.”

In a video posted to social media, Cuomo cast the race as a direct contest between himself and Mamdani, omitting mention of Adams, Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa, or fellow independent Jim Walden. The footage featured Cuomo walking through the city and engaging with residents—imagery that Politico noted echoed Mamdani’s own viral campaign style.

The idea has generated buzz since Zohran Mamdani won the New York City Democratic mayoral primary, but there are few successful examples to draw from, experts say.

Ultimately, the Democratic Party remains at a crossroads, caught between the growing influence of the far-left, and the more politically viable moderate wing.

Trump labels New York City Democratic mayoral nominee Zohran Mamdani a "communist" as Republicans aim to paint the progressive assemblyman as an extremist ahead of midterm elections.