Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - The first polling numbers are in for newly sworn-in New York Governor Kathy Hochul. The polling shows as many people don't know enough about Hochul to have an opinion as those who approve of her work thus far.
Just weeks after becoming New York's 57th Governor, Hochul is viewed favorably by 42 percent of voters and unfavorably by 17 percent, with 41 percent who either don't know Hochul or don't know enough about her to have an opinion, according to a new Siena College poll of registered New York State voters.
By 52-18 percent, voters say Hochul has a more collaborative approach to government leadership than her predecessor, and they say it's exciting to have New York's first woman governor, 74-16 percent. Strong majorities of voters think Hochul will be successful in ensuring a safe transition to in-person public education, leading the state through natural disasters and controlling the spread of COVID.
Andrew Cuomo should have resigned, rather than remain in office, voters say 67-26 percent, including Democrats, 55-35 percent. Cuomo has his worst-ever favorability rating, 34-55 percent, down from 45-47 percent in June. Looking back over the last decade, voters give Cuomo a 50-48 percent job performance rating, and a plurality, 39 percent, say he left New York a better place to live and work, compared to 27 percent who say he left it worse.
"While still largely unknown to a wide swath of New Yorkers, 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. Among all voters, Hochul has a 44-37 percent job performance rating after only a few weeks in office," said Siena College pollster Steven Greenberg.
"Voters overwhelmingly say it's exciting to have New York's first woman governor, including 84 percent of Democrats, 68 percent of independents and 59 percent of Republicans," Greenberg said. "A strong 52-18 percent majority, including majorities of all parties, say she will be more collaborative than Cuomo. Voters reject the notion, 48-28 percent, that Hochul doesn't have enough experience to lead New York."
Siena Poll
"Cuomo gets his worst-ever favorability rating from voters, 34-55 percent, with Democrats only giving him a 47-39 percent favorability rating. Voters overwhelmingly said Cuomo should have resigned rather than remain in office, 67-26 percent, including Democrats, 55-35 percent," Greenberg said. "More than three-quarters of Republicans, independents and voters from outside New York City say Cuomo was right to resign rather than remain, as do a plurality of New York City voters.
