Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer is seeing a decline in his poll numbers in New York, with a favorable rating of 39% and an unfavorable rating of 49%, according to a recent poll conducted by Siena College. This is the worst showing for Schumer in the 20 years that the college has been conducting polls in the state. The drop in Schumer’s favorability is largely due to a decrease in support among Democrats, particularly liberals. While he continues to be viewed unfavorably by Republicans and independents, his standing with Democrats has fallen dramatically.
While Schumer’s numbers are declining, progressive Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s popularity is on the rise. The four-term Democrat from New York City has a favorable rating of 47% and an unfavorable rating of 33% among New York state voters. Sixty-four percent of Democrats view Ocasio-Cortez favorably, making her more popular among Democrats than Schumer or Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul. However, Ocasio-Cortez is viewed negatively by six in 10 Republicans and independents are evenly divided in their opinion of her.
Schumer has faced backlash from within his own party for supporting a Republican-crafted federal government funding bill, which averted a government shutdown and was backed by President Trump. While some Democrats have called for Schumer to be more vocal in his opposition to Trump, he has continued to lead the Senate Democratic Caucus. Despite facing criticism, Schumer is not up for re-election until 2028. However, there are already suggestions that Ocasio-Cortez could challenge him in a primary, with early polling indicating she could potentially top him.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul, who is running for re-election next year, has seen an increase in her approval ratings, according to the Siena College poll. Her approval rating stands at 48%, up from 46% in the previous poll. Additionally, her favorable ratings have also improved. While only 39% of voters are prepared to re-elect Hochul in 2026, her standing has improved from the previous month. Hochul has been praised for her leadership on issues such as public safety and lowering costs, with some potential Republican challengers considering launching campaigns against her.
Overall, the latest polling results from Siena College show a decline in favorability for Senator Chuck Schumer in New York, while Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s popularity is on the rise. Governor Kathy Hochul has seen an increase in her approval ratings, with improvements among upstate and women voters. As the political landscape continues to evolve, it remains to be seen how these shifting opinions will impact future elections and leadership in the state of New York.
