Poll gives Rep. Jerry Nadler edge in NY-12 primary with Rep. Carolyn Maloney, Attorney Suraj Patel
NEW YORK -- It's the final weekend of campaigning in a closely-watched battle for a New York congressional seat, and Friday candidates hit the streets in the 12th District bright and early, talking with voters.
Rep. Carolyn Maloney, a 15-term congresswoman, who currently represents the Upper East Side in the 12th District, is facing off against longtime house colleague Rep. Jerry Nadler in Tuesday's primary. The pair is joined by third candidate, attorney Suraj Patel.
"We're the only campaign presenting a plan for the next decade. The fact that the status quo has failed for New York and failed to counter Republicans," Patel said.
Patel spent the morning talking with voters in the district.
CBS2's Zinnia Maldonado spoke with Maloney as well.
"I'm working on gun safety now, and we have other stops today. I was at a subway stop this morning," Maloney said.
An Emerson College poll released Thursday found 43% of voters in the district supporting Nadler, 24% Maloney, while 14% stand behind Patel.
"It affects our strategy none. Two years ago, polls had us down by 38 points, and we lost by three points," Patel said.
"There are a lot of polls out. Some polls have me winning. Some polls have him winning. The only poll that really matters is Election Day," Maloney said.
Nadler currently represents the Upper West Side in the 10th District, but is switching gears, as the 12th District was redrawn earlier this year, and now stretches from Stuy Town in the southeast to West 114th Street in the northwest.
In a debate earlier this month, Nadler listed off his accomplishments, saying his job isn't over yet.
"I passed the Respect for Marriage Act to codify the right of marriage equality, whatever the Supreme Court says, and I passed the assault weapons ban. So I hope the voters on August 23 will vote for me so I can continue working for them," Nadler said.
That Emerson survey represents a big change from May, when the same poll showed Maloney leading Nadler by 10 points.
There's no competition in the Republican primary for that seat.
Sole candidate Mike Zumbluskas will face the winner of Tuesday's Democratic primary in the November election.