Governor Kathy Hochul’s job approval and favorability ratings saw gains in July, according to a recent Siena College poll, but her lead in a potential 2026 gubernatorial matchup has narrowed.
The poll, conducted August 4-7 among 813 registered New York voters, shows Hochul’s approval rating increased by six points since June, with 53% approving of her performance and 42% disapproving. Her favorability rating also improved by three points but remains slightly negative, with 42% viewing her favorably and 44% unfavorably.
In a hypothetical 2026 race against Congresswoman Elise Stefanik, Hochul leads 45% to 31%, a margin that has shrunk by nine points since June.
The poll has a margin of error of plus or minus 4.2 percentage points.
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