NEW YORK CITY: Anthony Weiner Surges Past Christine Quinn To Polling Lead

Former Rep. Anthony Weiner has surprised observers on all sides by taking the lead from Christine Quinn in the latest New York City mayoral poll.

Among registered Democrats, Mr. Weiner had 25% of the vote, compared with Ms. Quinn, who had 20%, marking her lowest level of support since polling of the race began. Trailing them were former Comptroller Bill Thompson, at 13%, Public Advocate Bill de Blasio, 10% and city Comptroller John Liu, 8%. Fewer than one in five Democrats say they are undecided.  “Things are changing – the race has been scrambled by Weiner’s candidacy,” said Lee Miringoff, director of the Marist College Institute for Public Opinion. “Weiner’s candidacy has gotten more acceptable to voters since he announced, (and) Quinn’s having a difficult time reversing what has been a slow but steady decline in her numbers.”

Quinn continues to maintain a 4-point lead in Manhattan. If no candidate takes 40% of the primary vote, the top two finishers will compete in a runoff.