Nearly A Million New Yorkers Ready To Flee NYC If Mamdani Becomes Mayor — Possibly Igniting Largest Exodus In History
New York City could face an unprecedented exodus if far-left candidate Zohran Mamdani captures the mayoralty on Tuesday, according to a striking new survey that shows hundreds of thousands of residents ready to pack up and leave.
The poll, conducted by J.L. Partners and reported by the Daily Mail, found that approximately 765,000 New Yorkers — about 9% of the city’s 8.4 million residents — said they would “definitely” leave the Big Apple if Mamdani is elected the 111th mayor. Another 25%, or roughly 2.12 million, said they would “consider” relocating.
“If anywhere near that number actually left, the economic impact would be seismic,” said pollster James Johnson. “Older New Yorkers, Staten Islanders, and white voters are the most likely to say they would pack up and go.”
If even a fraction of those pledging to depart follow through, the city could lose a population equal to that of Washington, D.C., Las Vegas, or Seattle — a demographic collapse with potentially devastating consequences for its tax base and economy.
High-income residents appeared especially uneasy. Among those earning more than $250,000 annually, 7% said they would definitely leave, amplifying concerns that New York’s financial backbone could erode under a Mamdani administration.
Men were significantly more inclined to flee than women — 12% compared to 7% — though roughly a quarter of both groups said they were weighing a move. The poll found that New Yorkers between 50 and 64 were the most likely to want out, with 12% committed to leaving and another 33% considering it.
By racial breakdown, 13% of white residents and 11% of Asian New Yorkers said they would definitely leave. Staten Island residents were the most eager to escape, with 21% certain they’d go and another 54% considering it. In Brooklyn, 8% said they’d move and 18% were undecided, while in Manhattan, 6% said they’d leave and 20% were unsure.
Many respondents cited the Carolinas, Florida, and Tennessee as preferred destinations, pointing to lower income and property taxes as key motivators.
Pollster James Johnson warned that confidence in Mamdani, a 34-year-old socialist state assemblyman, remains deeply polarized. “If anywhere near that number actually left, the economic impact would be seismic,” he repeated, stressing that such an outflow would ripple far beyond city limits.
The latest data also shows an unusually high level of voter engagement. As of Sunday night, when early voting wrapped up, 735,317 New Yorkers had already cast ballots. Election officials expect as many as 1.9 million voters to participate — the city’s highest turnout since nearly 2.5 million ballots were cast in 1969, when liberal Republican John Lindsay won reelection.
With just 72 hours left before Election Day, Mamdani held a 6.6-point lead over Andrew Cuomo — his tightest margin since midsummer.
A poll released on Shabbos by AtlasIntel showed Mamdani leading with 40.6%, trailed by Cuomo at 34% and Republican Curtis Sliwa at 24.1%. However, the RealClearPolitics average still gives Mamdani a commanding 14.5-point advantage, keeping him on pace to become the next mayor of New York City.
{Matzav.com}
