Hochul Leads '26 Governor’s Race Against GOP Challengers, But Fails To Hit 50%, Poll Shows
Gov. Kathy Hochul holds a commanding early lead over three potential Republican challengers in the 2026 New York governor’s race, fresh polling shows.
Hochul leads Rep. Elise Stefanik by 23 points, 47 to 24%, Rep. Mike Lawler by 20 points, 44 to 24%, and Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman by 25 points, 44 to 19%, according to a Siena College poll released Tuesday, July 1.
However, she’s still falling short of the 50% mark in every matchup, and more than a quarter of voters remain undecided, pollsters found.
“While the early leads seem large, Hochul is not hitting the ‘magic’ 51% mark …
Hochul Holds Strong Lead in Hypothetical 2026 Primary, But Faces Affordability Concerns: Poll
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul remains the clear frontrunner in a hypothetical 2026 Democratic primary, a new Siena College poll shows.
Hochul leads potential Democratic challengers Lt. Gov. Antonio Delgado and Rep. Ritchie Torres by more than 30 points, the poll–released Monday, March 10–showed.
Forty-six percent of Democrats prefer Hochul, compared to 11% for Delgado and 10% for Torres, according to pollsters.
However, despite her commanding lead in a primary, the governor’s overall approval numbers remain mixed: Forty percent hold a favorable view, compared to 50% with an unfavorable view, …
