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Dear Commons Community,

With about two weeks remaining before the primary elections, New York City public advocate Bill de Blasio has surged ahead in the mayoral race, coming close to the 40 percent threshold he’d need to avoid a runoff in the Democratic primary, according to a poll released Wednesday by Quinnipiac University.

De Blasio took 36 percent among likely Democratic primary voters, by far the largest share of the vote any candidate has garnered in polling so far. New York City Council Speaker Christine Quinn and former city comptroller Bill Thompson trailed at 21 and 20 percent, respectively. Three other candidates, former Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-N.Y.), city comptroller John Liu and former city councilmember Sal Albanese, each polled in the single digits.

If there is a runoff, de Blasio would lead Quinn, 59 percent to 30 percent, and Thompson, 52 percent to 36 percent.

Although de Blasio had stronger support among men than women, he led among voters of both genders. He also held a lead regardless of racial group, taking 38 percent among white voters and 34 percent among black voters.

De Blasio did especially well among left-leaning New Yorkers, attracting the support of 50 percent of “very liberal” voters and 42 percent of “somewhat liberal” voters.

Tony