Governor Kathy Hochul holds a commanding lead in a hypothetical 2026 Democratic primary, according to a new Siena College poll. The survey found Hochul with 46% support among Democrats, far ahead of Lt. Governor Antonio Delgado (11%) and Rep. Ritchie Torres (10%). However, while she earns positive marks for protecting constitutional rights and ensuring quality, affordable healthcare, she remains underwater on making New York more affordable.
Hochul’s overall favorability rating sits at 40% positive and 50% negative, remaining largely unchanged from last month. Her job approval rating is nearly even at 46% approval to 48% disapproval. While two-thirds of Democrats approve of her performance, 79% of Republicans and 59% of independents disapprove. More concerning for Hochul is that only 34% of voters say they would re-elect her, while 56% want someone else. Among Democrats, she fares better, with 51% saying they would back her for another term.
“Strong majorities of voters approve of the job she is doing to protect New Yorkers’ constitutional rights and ensuring access to quality, affordable healthcare,” said Siena College pollster Steven Greenberg. “But a majority disapproves of her efforts to make the state more affordable.”
On congestion pricing, a key policy dividing the state, voters lean toward elimination by a margin of 40% to 33%, aligning with former President Donald Trump’s position. However, New York City voters narrowly support keeping the policy, 42% to 35%. Downstate suburbanites oppose it more strongly, 48% to 30%.
Trump’s job approval rating has dropped eight points since last month, falling to 42% approval and 55% disapproval, though his favorability remains largely unchanged at 39%-57%. He earns higher marks for specific policies, with 54% of voters approving of his efforts to combat fentanyl trafficking.
The poll also found overwhelming opposition to making Canada the 51st state (68%-11%) and redeveloping Gaza (58%-15%). However, a majority of New Yorkers support making English the official U.S. language (57%-27%).
As the 2026 gubernatorial race looms, Hochul’s early lead is bolstered by her relatively unknown primary challengers. Delgado and Torres both suffer from low name recognition, with nearly two-thirds of voters saying they have no opinion of either candidate.
“Among Democrats, Hochul’s favorability and job approval ratings are solidly positive,” Greenberg said. “With two largely unknown potential opponents, it’s easy to see why Hochul holds a commanding early lead.”
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