Bruce Blakeman within single digits of Kathy Hochul in NY governors race: poll
Republican Bruce Blakeman has caught up within single digits of Democratic incumbent Gov.Kathy Hochul’s lead in the New York gubernatorial race with six weeks left until the Nov.
3 election, a new poll of likely voters found.Blakeman is closer to pulling off an upset of Hochul than GOP challenger Lee Zeldin was during the same time period in 2022, a new Siena University survey reveals.Hochul leads Blakeman by 9 points — 50% to 41%, according to the poll.“At this time four years ago, Hochul led Lee Zeldin by 17 points, 54%-37%, before going on to win by six points,” said Siena pollster Steven GreenbergLast month, Hochul led Blakeman 49% to 39%, so Blakeman picked up a point but still has significant ground to make up.Hochul is far from beloved, even though voters favor her on some key issues.Only 48% of voters view her favorably and 48% unfavorably.Her job approval rating is also under 50% — 48% gave a thumbs up and 47 disapproved.Blakeman, meanwhile, has his own challenge — nearly one-third of voters don’t know him or have no opinion with the election just 41 days away.Thirfty-five percent of respondents view him favorably and 34% unfavorably.Only 38% of respondents said New York State is on the right track, while 49% said it’s going in the wrong direction as Hochul seeks re-election to a second, four-year term, the survey found.But only 28% of voters said the US as a whole is on the right track, while a staggering 66% said it’s going in the wrong direction during President Trump’s mid-term.“With six weeks until election day, voters offer good news to both Hochul and Blakeman.
She now has the support of 50% of voters and saw her favorability and job approval ratings edge into positive territory.He now trails by single digits — well, nine points — in a state where Democrats outnumber Republicans by more than two-to-one,” Greenberg said.Voters favor Hochul on a few key issues.For example, 49% of respondents said Hochul would do a better ...