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NY Governor's Race: Hochul Up 19 Points Over Blakeman With The Cost Of Living & Economy Top Of Voters' Minds, Quinnipiac University New York State Poll Finds; Senator Chuck Schumer's Job Approval: 36%

Less than six weeks until Election Day, Democratic incumbent Governor Kathy Hochul holds a commanding lead over Republican challenger Bruce Blakeman with 58 percent of likely voters supporting Hochul and 39 percent supporting Blakeman, according to a Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh-pea-ack) University New York State poll of likely voters released today. Three percent of likely voters did not choose a candidate.

Democrats (89 - 6 percent) support Hochul, while Republicans (90 - 8 percent) support Blakeman. Among independents, 51 percent support Hochul, while 45 percent support Blakeman.

Forty-six percent of likely voters have a favorable opinion of Kathy Hochul, while 43 percent have an unfavorable opinion of her, and 10 percent haven't heard enough about her.

Thirty percent of likely voters have a favorable opinion of Bruce Blakeman, while 36 percent have an unfavorable opinion of him, and 34 percent haven't heard enough about him.

MOST IMPORTANT ISSUE

When likely voters were given a list of 10 issues and asked which is the most important one in deciding who to vote for in the election for governor, the cost of living tops the list, with 28 percent, followed by the economy (21 percent) and health care (11 percent). No other issue reaches double digits.

Among Republicans, the top issues are the cost of living (21 percent), immigration (20 percent), the economy (17 percent), taxes (15 percent), and crime (11 percent).

Among Democrats, the top issues are the cost of living (35 percent), the economy (21 percent), and health care (16 percent).

Among independents, the top issues are the cost of living (26 percent), the economy (22 percent), and health care (12 percent).

Among likely voters who say the cost of living is the most important issue, 66 percent support Hochul and 30 percent support Blakeman.

Among likely voters who say the economy is the most important issue, 64 percent support Hochul and 34 percent support Blakeman.

"Four years after Kathy Hochul won the governor's race by single digits, she appears positioned, at the moment, to have a wider lane on the road to being reelected. Likely voters prefer her to be in Albany handling the cost of living and the economy, their top concerns, and that is putting her at a sizable advantage over Republican challenger Bruce Blakeman," said Quinnipiac University Poll Assistant Director Mary Snow.

PERSONAL TRAITS

Likely voters were asked whether they would say each candidate cares about the needs and problems of people like them, has good leadership skills, and is honest:

Cares about the needs and problems of people like them:

  • Hochul: 48 percent say yes, 45 percent say no, with 7 percent not offering an opinion;
  • Blakeman: 35 percent say yes, 43 percent say no, with 21 percent not offering an opinion.

Good leadership skills:

  • Hochul: 48 percent say yes, 45 percent say no, with 7 percent not offering an opinion;
  • Blakeman: 34 percent say yes, 38 percent say no, with 28 percent not offering an opinion.

Honest:

  • Hochul: 45 percent say yes, 43 percent say no, with 12 percent not offering an opinion;
  • Blakeman: 32 percent say yes, 38 percent say no, with 30 percent not offering an opinion.

JOB APPROVALS

Forty-eight percent of likely voters approve of the way Kathy Hochul is handling her job as governor, while 44 percent disapprove, with 8 percent not offering an opinion.

Forty-one percent of likely voters approve of the way Kirsten Gillibrand is handling her job as United States Senator, while 33 percent disapprove, with 26 percent not offering an opinion.

Thirty-six percent of likely voters approve of the way Chuck Schumer is handling his job as United States Senator, while 54 percent disapprove, with 10 percent not offering an opinion.

Among Democrats, 56 percent approve of the way Chuck Schumer is handling his job as United States Senator, while 33 percent disapprove, with 10 percent not offering an opinion.

FAVORABILITY RATINGS

Likely voters were asked whether they had a favorable or unfavorable opinion of:

  • Zohran Mamdani: 46 percent favorable, 36 percent unfavorable, 15 percent haven't heard enough about him;
  • Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez: 41 percent favorable, 36 percent unfavorable, 21 percent haven't heard enough about her;
  • Chuck Schumer: 34 percent favorable, 51 percent unfavorable, 12 percent haven't heard enough about him;
  • The Democratic Socialists of America: 29 percent favorable, 43 percent unfavorable, 27 percent haven't heard enough about it;
  • The Make America Great Again (MAGA) movement: 29 percent favorable, 62 percent unfavorable, 6 percent haven't heard enough about it.
"As Democrats try to regain control of Congress, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer's scores are underwater in his home state. It's worth noting Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is seen in a more positive light at a time when she's being closely watched as she decides her political future and whether it might include a challenge to Schumer," added Snow.

PRESIDENT TRUMP

Twenty-nine percent of likely voters approve of the way Donald Trump is handling his job as president, while 66 percent disapprove.

Thirty percent of likely voters have a favorable opinion of Donald Trump, 63 percent have an unfavorable opinion of him, and 4 percent haven't heard enough about him.

1,026 New York State likely voters were surveyed from September 17th - 20th with a margin of error of +/- 4.1 percentage points, including the design effect.

The Quinnipiac University Poll, directed by Doug Schwartz, Ph.D. since 1994, conducts independent, non-partisan national and state polls on politics and issues. Surveys adhere to industry best practices and are based on probability-based samples using random digit dialing with live interviewers calling landlines and cell phones.

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Poll Questions