A new NY1/Marist poll released Monday finds that many New Yorkers would be less likely to vote for whoever Mayor Michael Bloomberg endorses in the 2013 mayoral race and that Democrats favor City Council Speaker Christine Quinn as a prospective candidate. NY1’s Josh Robin filed the following report.
It doesn't look like Mayor Michael Bloomberg's suit size has changed, but his coattails are growing smaller.
Mayoral contenders would do well to say “thanks but no thanks” to his blessing their own bids for City Hall, a new NY1/Marist poll finds.Forty-eight percent of registered voters say an endorsement would make them less likely to vote for that candidate, 30 percent say it would make them more likely, 15 percent say it would make no difference and eight percent aren't sure.
The sentiment cuts across every demographic.
"How this would work out in practice, I'm sure the field of candidates would welcome a Bloomberg endorsement. I suspect they also would be certain not to make his endorsement the centerpiece of their campaign," said Lee Miringoff, NY1/Marist College pollster.
Out of the current field of potential candidates, Bloomberg is closest with City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, and it's an open secret around City Hall that he prefers she succeed him in office.
While the poll numbers find she may want to run from him, his support could also help with raising money and with some voters.
Quinn grapples with their political relationship, though officially she says she's not thinking of 2013.
“Right now we are not in 2013, and whatever the mayor's race will be, whoever will be in it, that's the future and that's for politics,” said Quinn.
Still, she's unrivaled in fundraising, and in a poll of Democrats only, after those who are undecided, the greatest number support her, Bloomberg link notwithstanding.
Twenty-five percent are undecided, 20 percent go for the speaker, 16 percent for Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz, 12 percent for former nominee Bill Thompson, 10 percent for Comptroller John Liu, seven percent for Public Advocate Bill de Blasio, six percent for Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer and two percent for publisher Tom Allon.
Markowitz is said to want to end his career in politics, though Quinn may silently want him to run for mayor.
If Markowitz stays out, Thompson benefits the most with a six-point jump from 12 to 18 percent in support, within the margin of error of Quinn's rating.