Who Is the Surprise Opponent Facing Cuomo and Mamdani? Everything to Know About the Candidate Shaking Up the NYC Mayor’s Race

If you woke up stumped by today’s NYT Mini clue, “Opponent of Cuomo and Mamdani in the N.Y.C. mayoral race,” you’re not alone. Search traffic for that exact phrase has spiked as crossword solvers scramble for the five-letter answer—and the solution is ADAMS. Why the clue matters The New York Times Mini frequently taps into real-world names, and Andrew Cuomo and Zohran Mamdani have dominated political headlines this cycle. Eric Adams, the sitting mayor, rounds out the trio, making him the logical “opponent” referenced by the puzzle. Crossword fans hunting the answer have driven a surge of look-ups across word-solver sites and social media threads dedicated to daily puzzles. Who is Eric Adams? Adams, a former NYPD captain and Brooklyn borough president, was elected mayor in 2021 and is now seeking a second term. His centrist approach on policing and public safety has drawn sharp contrasts with Mamdani’s democratic-socialist platform and Cuomo’s comeback bid. State of the race • A Times/Siena poll released this week shows Mamdani edging Cuomo by three points among likely voters, with Adams narrowly trailing in third place. • A separate Post/PIX11 survey gives Mamdani a 15-point cushion over Cuomo in a four-way field that also includes Republican Curtis Sliwa, while Adams holds steady in single digits. Why “ADAMS” was the logical crossword pick Crossword constructors favor short, vowel-friendly surnames, and “ADAMS” fits the grid while referencing a marquee figure in New York politics. The clue also serves as a subtle nod to the crowded Democratic primary, where the incumbent must fend off both a progressive insurgent and a former governor. SEO tips for solvers • Bookmark daily answer hubs: Searching “NYT Mini September 11 2025 answers” or “Opponent of Cuomo and Mamdani crossword” will consistently surface the correct grid fill. • Use quotation marks: Typing the entire clue in quotes focuses Google’s results on pages that mention the exact phrase. • Check poll headlines: Articles about Mamdani, Cuomo, and Adams often repeat all three names, so news coverage can inadvertently confirm crossword answers. Bottom line Today’s NYT Mini answer “ADAMS” offers more than a quick five-letter fill—it’s a snapshot of New York’s evolving mayoral battle. Whether you’re tracking polls or polishing your crossword streak, remembering the Adams–Cuomo–Mamdani rivalry will keep you one step ahead in both politics and puzzles.