Quinn, Weiner and Thompson are almost tied in the latest poll. Credit: Getty Images/Reuters
It once looked like the other candidates didn’t stand a chance against City Council Speaker Christine Quinn in this year’s mayoral race. Now, a new Quinnipiac University poll shows Quinn, Anthony Weiner and former Comptroller Bill Thompson in a three-way tie.
According to the poll released Wednesday, Quinn has 19 percent of voter support, Weiner has 17 percent and Thompson has 16 percent. Public Advocate Bill de Blasio and Comptroller John Liu trail with 10 percent and 7 percent, respectively.
Quinn led with 37 percent in February, and she was still holding onto a strong lead in May when she had 25 percent of support, Weiner had 15 percent and Thompson had 10 percent.
Thompson’s jump is likely the result of the endorsement he scored last week from the teachers’ union.
“Former Comptroller William Thompson’s spurt – no doubt spurred in part by his endorsement last week by the United Federation of Teachers – is the big news in this new poll,” said Maurice Carroll, director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute. “The other news is Council Speaker Christine Quinn’s slide and that’s more puzzling.”
Meanwhile, a Marist poll released Tuesday night revealed Weiner was leading the race with 25 percent of support. Quinn followed with 20 percent and Thompson had 13 percent.
A number of factors could explain the disparity in the two polls. The Quinnipiac poll was conducted June 19-25, while the Marist poll was conducted June 17-21. The UFT announced its endorsement of Thompson on June 19.
The Marist poll also includes undecided voters who are asked which way they are leaning, but Quinnipiac’s poll does not.
