💛 A quick favor, if you've got a second.
We're really happy that you chose to read one of our stories and sincerely hope you'll stick around to read more. We took our paywall down — for now — but that won't last forever, and when the gate goes back up, we'd love for you to already be on the inside.
It's free. So please enter your email here and don't forget to like and follow us on all of your favorite Social Media platforms!
Republican Bruce Blakeman has narrowed the gap in New York’s gubernatorial race, according to a Siena University poll released Wednesday. Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul now leads the Nassau County executive 49-39% among likely voters, a significant decline from her 52-32% advantage when registered voters were polled in June.
The shift represents a tightening contest with less than three months before Election Day. Four years ago at this time, Hochul held a 14-point lead over former Republican Congressman Lee Zeldin, whom she ultimately defeated by six points in the general election.
Blakeman dismissed the poll’s findings in a statement to Fox News Digital, claiming recent surveys show the race essentially tied and asserting that Hochul’s record on taxes, utility costs, and public safety has damaged her standing. He characterized the governor as desperate to appear ahead of a struggling opponent.
Hochul maintains advantages on several key issues tracked in the survey. Voters favor her approach to affordability by 48-41% and affordable housing by 51-35%. The race remains closer on public safety, where Hochul leads 47-44%, and immigration, where she holds a narrow 45-44% edge.
Geographic divides emerge in the polling data. Hochul commands a commanding 64-19% lead in New York City but trails Blakeman 49-41% in downstate suburbs. The candidates run virtually even upstate and among men and white voters, though Hochul leads substantially with women, Latino, and Black voters.
The Siena poll also measured voter sentiment toward the Democratic Socialists of America for the first time. Overall favorability stands at a negative 30-47%, though Democrats view the group favorably at 50-21%, while 82% of Republicans and 57% of independents hold unfavorable views.
The survey was conducted August 3-6 among 811 likely New York voters with a margin of error of plus or minus 4.6 percentage points for complete responses.
More Stories
NYPD Denies Agreement to Provide Security for Mayor’s Wife on Middle East Trip
Hinckley Reflects on Reagan Shooting 45 Years Later, Expresses Well-Wishes for Foster
Minnesota GOP Senate Nominee Tafoya Courts Disaffected Democrats With ‘Common Sense’ Platform