Zohran Mamdani, a rising socialist candidate, is closing the gap in the NYC mayoral race, halving the lead held by frontrunner Andrew Cuomo, according to a recent poll.

The Marist College poll shows Cuomo leading Mamdani 55% to 45% in the seventh round of ranked-choice voting, down from a 60%-40% advantage in May.

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The survey highlights a significant shift, with Mamdani gaining support among Latino voters, jumping from 20% last month to 41% now, while Cuomo’s support among Latinos fell from 41% to 36%.

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Endorsements have played a role; Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has endorsed Mamdani, possibly boosting his appeal among younger Latino voters.

The undecided voter percentage has decreased from 17% in May to 11%, and no other candidate besides Cuomo and Mamdani has garnered more than 10% support initially.

The poll surveyed 1,350 likely Democratic voters from June 9-12, before the recent primary debate. Notably, Mamdani leads among voters under 45, with 52%, versus Cuomo’s 18%. Conversely, Cuomo dominates among voters over 45, with 47% support.

Cuomo’s backing remains strongest among Black and older voters, while Mamdani gains among younger voters. The race is now considered a contest between two main candidates, with Cuomo’s lead narrowing but still significant. The outcome hinges on voter turnout, especially among younger voters that Mamdani is energizing.