A recent Siena College poll has shown that New York Governor Kathy Hochul’s favorability rating has dropped below that of former President Donald Trump among likely Empire State voters. Only 34% of likely voters have a favorable opinion of Hochul, compared to 39% for Trump. Hochul’s unfavorable rating now stands at 54%, marking her net favorability at -20%, while Trump’s sits at -18%. This decline in favorability comes despite Hochul’s efforts to make popular decisions such as scrapping congestion pricing and boosting Democrats on the ballot this year.
Despite her decline in favorability, Vice President Kamala Harris and Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand hold significant leads over their Republican opponents in New York according to the same poll. 55% of likely voters polled said they would choose Harris over Trump in a head-to-head matchup. The survey also revealed that New Yorkers trust Harris more than Trump on various issues such as abortion, democracy, and the economy, with them being equally trusted on immigration. The poll was conducted shortly after Trump and Harris participated in their only debate before election day, with some voters being more likely to support Harris based on the debate results.
Although Trump held a slight edge in the suburban counties of Putnam, Westchester, Rockland, Nassau, and Suffolk, Harris still maintained a significant lead overall. Gillibrand also is expected to win against her lesser-known Republican challenger, Mike Sapraicone, with 54% of respondents indicating they would vote for Gillibrand compared to 31% for Sapraicone. However, a large portion of respondents, 84%, admitted to not knowing or having no opinion of Sapraicone, a former NYPD detective and entrepreneur.
The poll results indicate that despite Hochul’s unfavorable rating, other Democratic candidates such as Harris and Gillibrand are still popular among likely New York voters. Harris and Gillibrand both hold substantial leads over their Republican opponents in the upcoming election. The survey results also reflect that New Yorkers trust Harris more than Trump on several important issues, potentially influencing their voting decisions. Although Trump has a slight advantage in some suburban areas, the overall support for Harris and Gillibrand remains strong.
It is worth noting that the polling results come at a time when political dynamics are rapidly changing in New York and across the country. With the midterm elections approaching, the results of these polls may have significant implications for the Democratic Party’s standing in New York. Despite the challenges faced by Governor Hochul in terms of her favorability rating, the overall support for other Democratic candidates like Kamala Harris and Kirsten Gillibrand suggests that the party may still be in a strong position heading into the elections. As the political landscape continues to evolve, the outcomes of these polls could provide valuable insights into the preferences and priorities of New York voters.