2026 Governor's race: Hochul holds big lead on Stefanik in new poll but loses some ground | amNewYork

"Kathy Hochul holds a commanding lead over Republican challenger U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik in New York's November 2026 general election. According to a new Siena College poll out Tuesday, Hochul's 20-point lead represents a five-point drop from the previous poll on the race taken in September, and a closer look at the numbers shows some cause for concern for the Democratic governor. The Siena poll found that Hochul is leading Stefanik, an upstate lawmaker and close ally of President Trump, 52%-32%."

"Hochul is getting a primary challenge from Lieutenant Gov. Antonio Delgado, and the Siena poll released Tuesday shows her far ahead, with a 40-point lead on her one-time ally. Although Hochul saw both her favorability and job approval ratings slip a little, she continues to dominate Delgado among Democrats in a potential primary, and she maintains a strong lead over Stefanik the week after Stefanik declared her candidacy, said Siena College pollster Steven Greenberg in a statement. Stefanik is the early favorite to win the Republican party's gubernatorial nomination, though other challengers, including Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman and U.S. Rep. Mike Lawler, are also considering joining the race."

A Siena College poll shows Kathy Hochul leading Elise Stefanik 52% to 32% in New York's November 2026 general election, a 20-point advantage that is five points smaller than in September. Hochul's favorability fell to 43% favorable and 45% unfavorable, down from 45% favorable and 42% unfavorable. Lieutenant Gov. Antonio Delgado would trail Hochul by roughly 40 points in a Democratic primary. Elise Stefanik is an early favorite for the Republican nomination, while other Republicans including Bruce Blakeman and Mike Lawler have been mentioned as possible contenders but were not included in the new survey. The poll is the first since Stefanik launched her campaign on Nov. 7, and the tighter margins and slipping ratings indicate a somewhat closer dynamic than earlier in the year.

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