Hochul widens lead in final week
Siena poll shows the governor expanding her margin over Bruce Blakeman to 14 points as Election Day approaches.
By Jabari Long ·
New York Governor Kathy Hochul increased her lead over Republican challenger Bruce Blakeman in the final stretch of the campaign. A new survey indicates the incumbent is pulling further ahead in the days before the election.
The Siena Research Institute reported that Hochul leads Blakeman 54 percent to 40 percent among likely voters. This 14 point margin is five points larger than her September lead of 50 percent to 41 percent.
Steven Greenberg, the pollster who conducted the study, stated that the gap is growing rather than narrowing. He noted that Blakeman is running out of time to close the distance with only one week remaining.
The data shows Blakeman struggling to build an advantage in key regions. The candidates are virtually tied in upstate New York and downstate suburbs. Hochul leads independent voters by 11 points. Republicans typically require strong margins in these areas and among independents to overcome Democrats' registration advantage and New York City dominance.
Voter confidence in the candidates' economic plans remains low. Thirty five percent of likely voters said neither candidate would make life more affordable for average New Yorkers. Thirty percent selected Hochul and 27 percent chose Blakeman for that role.
Hochul's personal numbers improved for the first time in her term. Fifty one percent of likely voters view her favorably, compared to 45 percent who view her unfavorably. Her job approval rating rose to 51 percent from 48 percent in September. Blakeman holds a 39 percent favorable rating and a 40 percent unfavorable rating.
Demographic splits favor the governor. Hochul leads Blakeman by 23 points among women and six points among men. She leads Black voters 81 percent to 16 percent, while White voters are closely divided. Sixty eight percent of likely voters believe Hochul will win the election. Twenty three percent predict a Blakeman victory, a view shared by 40 percent of Republicans surveyed.
In other statewide races, Democratic Attorney General Letitia James leads Republican Saritha Komatireddy 54 percent to 39 percent. Democratic Comptroller Tom DiNapoli leads Republican Joseph Hernandez 59 percent to 32 percent. The survey was conducted from October 19 to 22 among 807 likely voters. It has a margin of error of plus or minus 4.1 percentage points. Election Day is November 3.
