Another poll is showing that Gov. Kathleen C. Hochul isn’t doing very well among the New York electorate.
On Tuesday, the Siena College Research Institute released its latest statewide poll of registered voters, showing that 49% of New Yorkers have an unfavorable view of the governor, compared to 39% with a favorable outlook.
Ahead of the gubernatorial election about two years away in 2026, 57% of respondents said they want to see a different person elected governor compared to 33% who want to give her a second full term.
“Hochul has not had a positive favorability rating since January of this year, and she has never had 50% or more voters view her favorably,” said Steven Greenberg, SCRI pollster.
HOCHUL CHALLENGERS
Challenges to Hochul, from the right and the left, are ramping up Rep. Ritchie J. Torres, D-Bronx, a progressive who has been walking back some of his more radical positions in recent weeks, has been attacking Hochul in a flurry of public statements and social media posts, an apparent attempt to build a profile for a primary. Rep. Michael J. Lawler, R-Pearl River, has been openly signaling a run for governor for more than a year.
“Only one third of voters — including only 48% of Democrats — say they’re prepared to reelect Hochul, while 57% of voters — 40% of Democrats — say they want ‘someone else,’” Greenberg said. “Not surprisingly, 85% of Republicans want someone else, but so do 65% of independents.”
Overall, 52% of poll respondents said they want a Democrat to be the state’s next governor — 85% of Republicans want a Republican, 85% of Democrats want a Democrat, and independents side with Republicans 39% to 29% for Democrats.
TOP ISSUES
As for the issues driving voters’ decisions, prices and the cost of living are at the top of the list, with 43% of respondents saying that’s their main concern, housing and migrants tied for second at 19%, and crime last at 15%, a big change from a few months ago when crime was at the top of voters minds.
“Voters also said they haven’t seen progress on those issues,” Greenberg said. “In fact, 54% of voters say that crime has gotten worse in New York state over the last year, 54% say also say the migrant influx has gotten worse, while 68% say the availability of affordable housing has gotten worse in the last year.”
On migrants, a majority of voters seem to believe that the state should work with the administration of President-elect Donald J. Trump next year, rather than oppose him as state leaders have historically done. Only Democrats report a majority that wants the state to oppose efforts to deport illegal immigrants, by 51% to 38% who want the state to work with Trump.
The pollsters also asked about Rep. Elise M. Stefanik, R-Schuylerville, who was widely unknown by the New York electorate. Stefanik, who is Trump’s pick to be ambassador to the United Nations, polls at 22% positive, 29% negative favorability rating for her first appearance in a statewide SCRI poll.
An overwhelming 49% of voters don’t know her or don’t have an opinion of the five-term North Country representative.
This SCRI poll was conducted between Dec. 2 and 5, reaching 834 registered New York voters by phone and online panel. The margin of error is 4.1% in either direction.