A recent Siena College poll has revealed that New York Governor Kathy Hochul’s favorability rating has dropped lower than that of former President Donald Trump among likely Empire State voters. Only 34% of likely New York voters have a favorable opinion of the Democratic governor, compared to 39% for Trump. Hochul’s unfavorability rating has hit 54%, the highest it has ever been, resulting in a net favorability rating of -20% for her, while Trump’s net favorability rating is at -18%.
Despite Hochul’s efforts, such as scrapping congestion pricing, appearing at the Democratic National Convention, and supporting Democrats on the ballot, her numbers continue to decline. However, her polling struggles have not affected the chances of other Democrats on the ballot, including Vice President Kamala Harris and Senator Kirsten Gillibrand from New York. According to the poll, 55% of likely New York voters would choose Harris over Trump in a head-to-head matchup.
The poll conducted by Siena College also revealed that New Yorkers have more trust in Harris than Trump when it comes to issues like abortion, democracy, and the economy, with both being trusted equally on immigration. The survey was conducted after a debate between Trump and Harris, which seemed to have a slight impact on voter preferences, as 37% of voters said they are more likely to support Harris after the debate.
In New York suburban counties such as Putnam, Westchester, Rockland, Nassau, and Suffolk, Trump holds a slight edge over Harris, with 50% of respondents supporting him compared to 48% for Harris. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand also maintains a significant lead over her Republican opponent, Mike Sapraicone, with 54% of respondents saying they would vote for her for a third term, compared to 31% for Sapraicone. Interestingly, 84% of respondents had no opinion or did not know who Sapraicone was, highlighting his lack of recognition among New York voters.
Overall, Governor Kathy Hochul’s declining favorability rating in New York has positioned her below former President Donald Trump in the eyes of likely Empire State voters. Despite Hochul’s efforts to boost her image, her unfavorable rating has reached its peak, while Trump’s rating remains slightly higher. The poll also indicates a strong preference for Vice President Kamala Harris and Senator Kirsten Gillibrand among New York voters, with both leading in head-to-head matchups against their Republican opponents. This data suggests that New Yorkers are tough critics when it comes to their political leaders, and their opinions may have a significant impact on the upcoming elections in the state.
