Poll: Weiner Inching Closer to Quinn

This article was written by C. Zawadi Morris.

Former U.S. Rep. Anthony Weiner has asked for a second chance in politics and, already, he is in second place.   

A poll released yesterday found that not only is Weiner moving up in the race for New York City mayor, but that his position is growing more and more secure as he edges closer to Democratic frontrunner and City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, D-Manhattan.  

The poll, a survey conducted of 1,001 New York City between May 22 and May 24 by Marist College Institute for Public Opinion, shows that Weiner has now garnered 19 percent of the vote to Quinn’s 24 percent. In the same poll last month, Weiner had 15 and Quinn 26.   

Public Advocate Bill de Blasio is now in third place with 12 percent followed by Bill Thompson with 11 percent, Comptroller John Liu at 8 percent and long shots Sal Albanese and Erik Salgado at 1 percent each. Twenty-three percent of voters remain undecided. 

Also, the poll found intensity of support varies for the two frontrunners.  Among those who support Christine Quinn, 30 percent are strongly behind her, and 42 percent somewhat support her. Twenty-four percent say they might vote differently and 4 percent are undecided.  

Anthony Weiner’s supporters are a bit stronger in their backing: 43 percent strongly support him while 38 percent are somewhat supportive, 17 percent might vote differently and 2 percent are unsure.   

“The Democratic primary for mayor remains wide open,” says Dr. Lee M. Miringoff, Director of The Marist College Institute for Public Opinion. “It is likely to come down to who can punch their ticket for the runoff.”