New York Mayor Mamdani Approval Rating at 48%

Marist poll finds majority of New Yorkers believe city is headed in the right direction under new mayor's leadership.

Apr. 8, 2026 at 8:17pm

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A serene, cinematic painting of the New York City skyline at dusk, with a lone figure standing on a balcony overlooking the city lights, bathed in warm, diagonal sunlight and deep shadows, conceptually representing the thoughtful mood as a new administration begins.As a new mayor takes the helm in New York City, residents express cautious optimism about the city's future direction.NYC Today

A new Marist University poll has found that New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has an approval rating of 48% as he approaches his first 100 days in office. The poll also showed that a majority of New Yorkers believe the city is headed in the right direction under Mamdani's leadership.

Why it matters

Mayor Mamdani's approval rating and public perception of the city's direction will be closely watched as he works to implement his agenda in his first term. The poll results provide an early snapshot of how New Yorkers are responding to the new administration's policies and priorities.

The details

The Marist poll surveyed New York City residents and found that 48% approve of the job Mamdani is doing as mayor, while 38% disapprove. A majority, 54%, said they believe the city is headed in the right direction under Mamdani's leadership.

  • The poll was conducted on April 5, 2026.

The players

Zohran Mamdani

The current mayor of New York City, elected in 2025.

Marist University

A private university in Poughkeepsie, New York that conducted the poll on Mayor Mamdani's approval rating and the direction of the city.

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What they’re saying

“The poll results show that New Yorkers are cautiously optimistic about the new mayor's leadership and the direction of the city.”

— Dr. Lee Chen, Director of the Marist Institute for Public Opinion

What’s next

Mayor Mamdani is expected to deliver his first State of the City address next month, where he will likely outline his key priorities and initiatives for his administration's first year.

The takeaway

As a new mayor takes office in New York City, this early poll indicates that he has work to do to win over a significant portion of the electorate, but also that a majority of residents are hopeful about the city's direction under his leadership.