New York Gov. Kathy Hochul’s lead over her Republican challenger Bruce Blakeman has been narrowed in the latest poll shared by the Siena Research Institute on Wednesday, Aug. 12.
In a survey of 811 voters, Hochul had a 10-point lead in the latest poll, 49-39%, over the Nassau County executive with less than three months until Election Day. That’s down from a 20-point lead in June, which looked at all registered voters.
“At this point four years ago, August 2022, when Hochul was just finishing her first year as governor, she led her opponent, former Republican Congressman (and current EPA Administrator) Lee Zeldin by 14 points, 53-39%, before going on to ultimately win the election by six points, 53-47%,” says Siena pollster Steven Greenberg.
Here’s the latest.
What New Yorkers are saying about Hochul, Blakeman
While both Hochul’s and Blakeman’s favorability ratings continue to rise, according to the latest poll, the incumbent Democratic governor had a a 48-49% job approval rating. At the same time, 40% of respondents still don’t know enough about Blakeman to have an opinion of him, which is down from 54% in June.
Hochul has large leads with women, Latinos and Black voters, the poll outlines, but likely independent voters are favoring Blakeman this round by a five-point margin, 45-40%. And while both candidates are “virtually even” in upstate New York, downstate and New York City have deeper divides. Hochul leads considerably in New York City — 64-19% —and the Nassau County executive leads the downstate suburbs by eight points.
Likely voters say Hochul will do a better job increasing the supply of affordable housing throughout the state, making prices more affordable for average New Yorkers and developing New York’s energy future.
“While Hochul has a 10-point lead, likely voters think she’ll do a better job than Blakeman on increasingaffordable housing by 16 points. That’s the good news for Hochul,” Greenberg said. “The bad news is that voters think she’s better than Blakeman on four other issues — affordability, energy, safety, and immigrants — by between only one and seven points.”
In this poll, participants were also asked whether these certain character traits applied to either candidate: “tough,” “honest,” “gets things done,” and “in touch with average New Yorkers.”
Blakeman leads Hochul in three of the four categories, spanning “tough,” “gets things done” and “honest.” Both Blakeman and Hochul are in the negative when it comes to likely voters believing they’re “in touch with average New Yorkers.” Hochul also received a negative rating for her honesty.
“While independents give Hochul negative ratings on all four traits, they overwhelmingly say Blakeman is tough and also say he gets things done,” Greenberg says.” Independents are divided on whether Blakeman is honest or in touch; they score him better on both than they do Hochul.”
How Blakeman, Hochul are responding to the latest poll results
Blakeman asserted the results of the latest Siena poll on Wednesday, Aug. 12 didn’t reflect the closeness of the race.
“All of the polls we have seen in the last two months have us virtually tied with Kathy Hochul. This poll is always off and continues to be off,” Blakeman said in a statement.
“We know and she knows this race is neck and neck,” he continued. “Kathy Hochul is desperate for people to believe that she is way ahead when she knows that her high taxes, soaring electric bills, and increased crime have made her the worst governor in America.”
The Republican gubernatorial candidate has recently touted two Republican-leaning polls as proof that he’s closing the gap — a poll cited by conservative radio station 77WABC showing him within six points of Hochul and a poll cited by the New York Post on July 28, which puts him within four points of his challenger.
Hochul campaign spokesperson Ryan Radulovacki also responded to the poll’s findings on Wednesday.
“The difference in this race is crystal clear: Governor Hochul has put money back in New Yorkers’ pockets at every opportunity, invested billions in public safety, and stood up against Donald Trump’s endless attacks on this state – ‘MAGA all the way’ Bruce Blakeman, who’s literally campaigning with Trump himself, jacked up property taxes and let violent crime spike to decade highs on his watch – and that’s what we continue to see voters respond to,” he said.
Where do other New York statewide election races stand?
Incumbent Democrats running for attorney general and comptroller in New York have hefty leads over their Republican challengers, the poll concludes.
New York Attorney General Letitia James leads Saritha Komatireddy by 18 points and New York Comptroller Tom DiNapoli has a 23-point lead over Joseph Hernandez.
Siena says more than two-thirds of likely voters don’t know who Komatireddy is and that she “has her work cut out for her in trying to become known to voters and then convincing them to support her.” In the comptroller’s race, 70% of likely voters say they don’t know enough about Hernandez to have an opinion, while 40% say the same about DiNapoli.
Emily Barnes covers state government for the USA TODAY Network-New York with a focus on how policy and laws impact New Yorkers’ taxes, communities and jobs. Follow her on Instagram or X @byemilybarnes. Get in touch at ebarnes@usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Bruce Blakeman narrows Kathy Hochul’s lead in NY governor’s race |Poll
Reporting by Emily Barnes, New York State Team / Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Emily Barnes, New York State Team | USA TODAY Network
