A new Siena College poll released on Thursday, September 19th, revealed that New York Governor Kathy Hochul’s popularity has hit a record low. The poll indicates that only 34% of New York voters view Hochul favorably, while 54% see her unfavorably. In comparison, former President Donald Trump holds a 39% favorability rating in the state despite being viewed unfavorably by 57%. This marks a significant decline for Hochul, whose favorability was 39% just a month ago.
Siena College pollster Steven Greenberg remarked on the surprising shift in public opinion, noting, “Kathy Hochul has a lower net favorability rating in New York than Donald Trump.” Greenberg further pointed out that Hochul’s favorability has never been strong, with her numbers now plummeting across nearly every demographic, including independents and young voters. Only Black voters and liberals continue to view her more favorably than unfavorably.
The same poll found that 55% of respondents believe New York is headed in the wrong direction, with only 32% expressing optimism about the state’s trajectory. Hochul’s job approval rating also dropped, with just 39% of New Yorkers approving of her performance, compared to 56% who disapprove.
Despite these numbers, the poll found that Vice President Kamala Harris continues to lead Trump in New York by 13 percentage points, though the state may not be as solidly blue as it once was. In 2020, President Joe Biden won New York by 23 points, but Harris’ lead is slimmer, reflecting a shift in the state’s political landscape.
In response to the poll, Hochul downplayed the significance of her own numbers, emphasizing her focus on securing a Democratic majority in the House of Representatives. “The only numbers I’m focused on right now are the ones to make sure that Hakeem Jeffries is the next speaker of the House,” she said during a press conference.
