New York state Representative Elise Stefanik is currently leading in the race against Governor Kathy Hochul for the upcoming gubernatorial election. A recent Siena College poll indicates that Stefanik is gaining traction, particularly among independent voters.
The poll, conducted from November 10 to 12 and released on Tuesday, shows Hochul with 52% support compared to Stefanik’s 32%. However, Stefanik has improved her standing by 5 points since the last assessment.
In previous months, Hochul’s advantage over Republican candidates was much wider. Back in September, Democrats were ahead 52% to 27% against their Republican rivals.
Pollster Stephen Greenberg noted that while Hochul maintains strong backing from Democrats—78% compared to just 9% for Stefanik—her lead is shrinking. The current support among Democrats for Hochul stands at 40-36% for Stefanik, down from 43-25% in September.
Hochul holds a significant 42-point lead in New York City. However, her advantage is just nine points in the suburbs and a mere three points in upstate regions.
The poll also reflects a decline in Hochul’s favorability rating, which has slipped two points to 43%. Interestingly, 42% of voters are inclined to re-elect Hochul, but 48% are looking for “someone else,” showing an improved sentiment from 37% in September.
Among those who prefer an alternative, 30% would like another Democrat, while 53% favor a Republican as their next governor.
This poll involved responses from over 800 registered voters across New York state. Notably, Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman is actively campaigning for the Republican nomination but is not included in this specific analysis.
