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New Poll Mixed News For Mayoral Hopeful Joseph Lhota

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) - Former MTA Chairman Joseph Lhota wants to be mayor of New York City, but a new poll might have him taking pause.

At 23 percent in the latest Quinnipiac University poll, Lhota would handily beat all other Republican challengers for the nomination.

Lhota is followed by businessman John Catsimatidis with 9 percent, newspaper publisher Tom Allon with 5 percent, former Bronx Borough President Adolfo Carrion with 3 percent, and Doe Fund founder George McDonald with 2 percent.

New Poll Mixed News For Mayoral Hopeful Joseph Lhota

But the good news for him could stop there, according to Quinnipiac's Maurice Carroll.

"Lhota wins the Republican primary easily. Quinn wins the Democratic primary easily, and then she - Quinn - beats Lhota in the general election," Carroll told WCBS 880 reporter Rich Lamb.

In fact, right now, Quinnipiac finds City Council Speaker Christine Quinn would best Lhota by a convincing 62 to 17 percent.

In the Democratic field, she leads with 35 percent. Public Advocate Bill de Blasio has 11 percent, former City Comptroller William Thompson has 10 percent, and Comptroller John Liu has 9 percent.

The poll said that both de Blasio and Thompson would also beat Lhota in the general election, 57-17 and 55-19 respectively.

LINK: Detailed Poll Results

But Carroll cautioned that it's January and it's still very early.

Who do you think would make the best mayor of New York? Sound off below.

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