Former Rep. Anthony D. Weiner would come in second, with 15 percent of the votes, if New York City’s Democratic mayoral primary were held today.
City Council Speaker Christine Quinn would win the primary, with 26 percent, a new Marist College/NBC New York poll found, as the New York Daily News reported.
Second place may still translate into losing, but for the disgraced politician, who resigned his congressional seat in a sexting scandal and faced a shaky political future, it’s actually an improvement. In October 2012, only 28 percent of registered Democrats wanted Mr. Weiner to run for mayor. Fully 56 percent wanted him to keep out of the race, the Daily News reported.
“[Mr. Weiner’s] numbers make him viable even if he hasn’t established a credible candidacy yet,” said pollster Lee Miringoff in the Daily News report. “His numbers have improved … and that’s encouraging for him.”
Still, it’s not all smooth sailing. If Mr. Weiner runs, he’ll still have to overcome these poll numbers: About 45 percent of registered Democrats now want him to run — but 46 percent still don’t.
• Cheryl K. Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com.
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