Politics & Government

Anthony Weiner Takes the Lead

New poll shows the former Congressman becomes the frontrunner for first time in 2013 mayoral contest.

by Matthew Hampton

In what has to be a "through the looking glass" moment for Speaker Christine Quinn, a new poll released Tuesday evening has her trailing Anthony Weiner by five percent in the race for mayor.

The poll, conducted by the Marist College Institute for Public Opinion for the Wall Street Journal and NBC, showed Weiner in the the lead among Democrats for the first time since declaring his intention to run in May.

Weiner gained a strong six points over the same poll conducted last month, not only closing the gap on Quinn but passing her.

On May 28, Weiner had 19 percent of registered Democrats polled, compared to Quinn's 24 percent.

Now their positions are almost reversed, with Weiner boasting the support of 25 percent of Democrats, compared to Quinn's 20 percent. 

The rest of the Democratic field, including former Comptroller Bill Thompson, Public Advocate Bill de Blasio and current Comptroller John Liu all have 13 percent or less.

The poll indicated that less than 20 percent of Democratic voters have yet to make up their minds. 

To prevent a runoff, a candidate must have more than 40 percent of the vote, a threshold that none of the current hopefuls are anywhere near just yet. 

The same poll indicated that former MTA chairman Joe Lhota is still leading among Republicans, with 28 percent of the Republican vote. 


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