Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - New York Gov. Kathy Hochul still leads the way in a recent gubernatorial poll released Wednesday, but Congresswoman Elise Stefanik (R, NY-21), her Republican counterpart, is closing the gap.
According to the latest numbers from Siena Research, Hochul holds a 20-point lead, 52%-to-32%, over Stefanik in a general election matchup. The lead is a little tighter than Hochul’s 52%-to-27% polling advantage in September.
Hochul continues to have a huge lead, 56%-to-16%, in a Democratic primary against Lt. Gov. Antonio Delgado.
“Although Hochul saw both her favorability and job approval ratings slip a little, she continues to dominate Delgado among Democrats in a potential primary, and she maintains a strong lead over Stefanik the week after Stefanik declared her candidacy,” Siena pollster Steven Greenberg said.
Hochul has a 43%-to-45% favorability rating, down from 45%-to-42% in September. While she leads against Stefanik, just 42% of voters say they are prepared to re-elect Hochul, while 48% would prefer "someone else."
“In the race against Stefanik, Hochul continues to run very strongly with Democrats, 78%-to-9%, however, Stefanik has now widened her lead among Republicans, 79%-to-11%, up from 68%-to-15% in September, and significantly narrowed the gap among independents, with whom Hochul now leads 40%-to-36%, down from 43%-to-25% in September,” Greenberg said.
“Hochul has a 42-point lead in New York City but leads by only nine points in the downstate suburbs and a very narrow three points upstate.”