Hochul Leads Blakeman by 14 Points in New Siena Poll as Election Day Nears

A Siena University poll released Wednesday and conducted October 19–22 among 807 likely New York voters shows Governor Kathy Hochul leading Republican challenger Bruce Blakeman 54% to 40% — up from a 9-point margin in September — with Election Day less than a week away. In New York City, Hochul leads 67% to 23%; in the downstate suburbs she holds a narrow 49% to 47% edge; upstate the race is nearly tied at 49% to 48%. For the first time in five years of Siena polling during her governorship, a majority of likely voters view Hochul favorably, with her favorability reaching 51%. Blakeman's favorability stands at 39% against 40% unfavorable. Pollster Steven Greenberg said Blakeman is "quickly running out of time." President Trump's endorsement of Blakeman is viewed negatively by 48% of voters and positively by only 28%. NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani's favorability jumped to 69% among city voters, up from 60%, with his endorsement of Hochul viewed positively by 45% and negatively by 30%. A separate Quinnipiac University poll conducted October 21 also placed Hochul ahead statewide by 14 points, though it differed on independents, showing Blakeman leading that group 51% to 44%. The Siena poll carries a margin of error of plus or minus 4.1 percentage points.