A new Siena College poll shows Governor Kathy Hochul holding sizable leads over potential Republican challengers as New York heads toward the 2026 election cycle.
The poll of registered New York voters, released Tuesday, finds Hochul leading Rep. Elise Stefanik 49% to 30%, with 20% of voters undecided. Hochul also leads Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman by a wider margin, 50% to 25%, with 21% undecided.
Voters surveyed expressed strong support for several policy proposals. Statewide, 65% support universal free childcare for infants through pre-kindergarten, funded by increased taxes on New Yorkers earning more than $1 million, while 27% oppose the idea. Among New York City voters, support for eliminating bus fares is narrower, at 50% in favor and 41% opposed, with the proposal also funded by higher taxes on high-income earners.
The poll also shows improving favorability ratings for New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani. Statewide, Mamdani’s favorability stands at 46% favorable and 31% unfavorable, up from 40% favorable and 40% unfavorable last month. In New York City, his favorability rating is 61% favorable and 23% unfavorable. Nearly half of voters statewide say Mamdani’s election will be good for New York City, with stronger support among city voters.
Hochul’s favorability rating stands at 43% favorable and 41% unfavorable, slightly improved from November. Her job approval rating is 52%, with 39% disapproving. Stefanik’s favorability rating is 22% favorable and 33% unfavorable, while Blakeman’s rating is 13% favorable and 17% unfavorable. Lieutenant Governor Antonio Delgado’s favorability rating is 17% favorable and 15% unfavorable.
Among Democrats, Hochul leads Delgado 56% to 13%. Among Republicans, Stefanik leads Blakeman 48% to 17%. Siena pollsters note that several potential candidates remain unfamiliar to a large share of voters, particularly with primary elections roughly six months away.
The Siena Poll was conducted on December 16 and reflects voter attitudes on potential matchups, policy priorities, and candidate favorability across New York State.
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