LOUDONVILLE, N.Y. (WCBS 880) -- Weeks into her time as governor of New York, a poll shows Gov. Kathy Hochul has a good favorability rating — but many are figuring out their opinion.
A Siena College poll released Tuesday shows 42% of registered voters view Hochul favorably, to just 17% unfavorably. But a whopping 41% of responders were undecided on the new governor.
The poll also found a 74%-16% margin are excited to have New York’s first governor.
“Governor Hochul begins her tenure with a lot of good will from voters. Among those with an opinion about her, she is viewed strongly favorably, although two in five New Yorkers don’t yet have an opinion, despite Hochul having been Lt. Governor for six years and elected statewide twice,” said Siena pollster Steven Greenberg.
Siena polls tabbed Andrew Cuomo with his worst-ever favorability rating of just 34% after resigning from office. 67% of voters, including 55% of Democrats, said Cuomo resigning was the right choice.
By a 56%-20% gap, voters think Cuomo did sexual harass multiple state employees, while a much tighter 45%-40% think Cuomo should be barred from holding public office again.
A 52-18% margin think Hochul is more collaborative than Cuomo was in his terms in office.
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On specific policy issues, voters gave the highest marks in likelihood of success for Hochul to ensure a safe transition back to in-person schooling — 69%-16%.
The lowest marks were given for balancing both the needs of tenants and the rights of landlords — 49-30%.
Siena pollsters also asked about vaccine mandates, with responders favoring public school teachers and staff being vaccinated 69-26%, and businesses like restaurants and gyms requiring the shot for customers 66-32%.
The poll was conducted between Sept. 7-12 among 700 registered New York voters.