Governor of New York Kathy Hochul is up for reelection in 2026, and a new poll has found that she is leading a hypothetical primary race and hypothetical general elections, despite the majority of voters saying they want a new governor.
A poll taken by the Siena College Research Institute of 800 New York State voters between June 23-26 found that 49 percent of Democratic voters would vote for Hochul in a primary between her, Lieutenant Governor Antonio Delgado, and Congressman Ritchie Torres.
When asked whether they would want to re-elect Hochul or vote for someone else, 55 percent of people said “someone else.” However, when pitted against hypothetical Republican candidates, Hochul polled ahead of her opponents.
Governor Hochul has been contacted for comment via email.
Why It Matters
Opinions on Hochul largely fall along partisan lines, with 69 percent of Democrats approving of her, but only 18 percent of Republicans sharing the same view. This is likely due to her fighting the Trump administration on New York City’s congestion pricing plan and on immigration.
Hochul’s race comes at a tumultuous time in New York Democratic politics. She is yet to endorse Democratic mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani, distancing herself from his democratic-socialist stance and his opinions on Israel.
What To Know
The Sienna poll for a Democratic primary put Hochul against Delgado and Torres. Torres has not officially announced his candidacy for governor yet, and has said he would not run if Mamdani wins the mayoral race.
Delgado was appointed by Hochul to his position in 2022, but is now primarying his boss. He did not name Hochul in his announcement, saying: “Listen, the powerful and well-connected have their champions. I’m running for governor to be yours.”
The Republican race is currently being won, per the same Sienna poll, by Congresswoman Elise Stefanik.
Stefanik was originally President Donald Trump‘s pick to be Ambassador to the United Nations, but her nomination was pulled. She has raised millions for a gubernatorial run but has yet to make a formal announcement that she will be joining the race.
Per the poll, she leads a Republican primary against Mike Lawler and Bruce Blakeman by 35 percent to Lawler’s 18 percent and Blakeman’s 7 percent. But, she loses a general election to Hochul by 24 points to Hochul’s 47 points.
What People Are Saying
Elise Stefanik posted on X (formerly Twitter) about a fundraiser in New York: “I ask you all today to join us in this effort to SAVE NEW YORK and fire Kathy Hochul in 2026. This is about the people of New York. And it’s going to take fighters all across this state to get this done.”
Kathy Hochul for Governor site: “As Governor, Kathy has taken decisive action to deliver immediate relief to working and middle class families and small businesses, beat back the pandemic, and accelerate New York’s economic recovery. In addition, she has reaffirmed New York’s position as a national leader in defending reproductive rights and in combating climate change.”
What Happens Next
The New York gubernatorial race is not until 2026. According to the poll, 43 percent of people do not know, or have no opinion on, Stefanik, meaning that as more people get to know her, the polls will likely move.
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