Andrew Yang reportedly named in a New York City mayoral poll, fueling speculation he may run on a third party line in 2021

A new poll in New York City included former Democratic presidential candidate Andrew Yang, according to Politico.
Yang was listed in an online poll gauging enthusiasm for a third party candidate in the Big Apple’s 2021 mayoral race.
He was alongside 10 other candidates expected to compete in the Democratic primary to succeed Mayor Bill de Blasio.
The poll was not backed by Yang or any outside groups affiliated with him, but appeared to be “exploring Yang’s viability both in the Democratic primary and as an independent candidate, but that they are very seriously considering an independent candidacy.”
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Amid ongoing speculation over his political future, former Democratic presidential candidate Andrew Yang appeared in an online poll on the upcoming New York City mayoral race.

First reported by Politico, the poll included Yang as both a third party and Democratic option.

A few New York City politicians have already entered the race, with Yang remaining a possible late entrant depending on whether he gets a position in President-elect Joe Biden’s administration or pursues other avenues.

A spokesman for Yang did not immediately respond to Insider’s request for comment.

Results for the poll were unavailable following the Politico report on Monday.

The poll also asked respondents about some Yang-specific items, such as a universal basic income of $1,000 per month, a cornerstone of his presidential campaign.

There was also a description of an unnamed candidate, described by Politico as “a political outsider, entrepreneur, nonprofit leader and, more specifically, the 2012 recipient of Obama’s ‘Champion of Change’ award,” which Yang won that year.

The poll was run on SurveyMonkey and marketed in Facebook ads to Manhattanites, according to Politico.

Should Yang run as an independent, he would be able to skip the crowded Democratic primary and focus on the general election in Nov. 2021.

Back in February, Yang’s former campaign manager was coy when asked by Insider about a potential mayoral run following the campaign closing up shop the night of the New Hampshire primary.

“Andrew Yang would bring a lot of different types of voters and excitement to anything he does,” former Yang campaign manager Zach Graumann said. “As a Democrat, I hope the party looks at what we did and what Andrew’s done for future elections and races.”

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