As New Yorkers learn more about their new governor and Democrats look ahead to a June gubernatorial primary, Governor Kathy Hochul leads her closest opponent by between 14 and 19 points in three potential primary scenarios, according to a new Siena College poll of registered New York State voters.
In one potential five-way primary, Hochul leads with 31 %, followed by former Governor Andrew Cuomo, 17 %, Attorney General Letitia James, 14 %, NYC Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, 7 %, and NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio, 6 %.
With Cuomo excluded, Hochul gets 39 %, James 20 %, de Blasio 10 %, and Williams 8 &.
In a head-to-head match-up, Hochul leads James 47-31 %. Hochul has a 42-26 % favorability rating, down from 42-17 % last month.
Her job performance rating is now negative 43-45 %, down from 44-37 % in September. Only between 27 and 42 % of New Yorkers give Hochul positive grades on five different issues, while between 38 and 51 % give her negative grades; she is close to break even on her handling of the pandemic and natural disasters but gets negative grades for cleaning up Albany corruption, strengthening the economy and ‘addressing issues important to you.