Gov. Kathy Hochul holds a strong lead over her biggest challenger and has reached her highest favorability rating since taking office, according to a new Siena College poll of New York voters.
The survey found Hochul leading Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman 54% to 28% in a hypothetical statewide matchup.
Among Democrats, Hochul also leads Lt. Gov. Antonio Delgado by a wide margin, 64% to 11%.
The poll found Hochul with a 49% favorable rating and 40% unfavorable rating. Pollsters said it is the first time she has reached 49% favorability in a Siena poll since becoming governor.
Her job approval rating stands at 54%, with 41% of voters disapproving.
Pollsters said Hochul’s advantage is driven largely by strong support among Democrats. She leads Blakeman 79% to 8% with Democratic voters and also holds a 41% to 34% lead among independents.
The survey also measured voter views on several policy proposals from the governor.
About 68% of voters support eliminating state income tax on the first $25,000 earned in tips. Another 67% support limiting immigration enforcement in sensitive locations such as schools, hospitals, and places of worship unless authorities have a judicial warrant.
Increasing childcare funding by $1.7 billion received 66% support, while 59% support providing payments to farmers to offset costs tied to tariffs.
The poll also found New York voters hold largely negative views of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Sixty-seven percent of respondents said they view ICE unfavorably, and 61% said they oppose how the agency is carrying out arrests. Nearly two-thirds said ICE tactics have gone too far.
At the national level, President Donald Trump’s favorability rating among New York voters stands at 33%, with 63% viewing him unfavorably. His job approval rating in the state is 34%, with 63% disapproving.
The Siena poll surveyed 802 registered New York voters from Jan. 26 to Jan. 28 and has a margin of error of plus or minus 4.3 percentage points.
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