A McLaughlin & Associates poll commissioned by Bruce Blakeman's campaign puts Gov. Kathy Hochul ahead 49.6% to 45.7% among 800 likely New York voters (Aug. 27–31), with 4.7% undecided. The survey shows 55% view Hochul unfavorably and 56% want new leadership, while 38% believe she deserves re-election. Regionally, Hochul dominates NYC but Blakeman leads in the suburbs and upstate. Hochul also holds a sizable fundraising edge.
McLaughlin Poll: Blakeman Narrows Race — Hochul Leads By Fewer Than Four Points
Bruce Blakeman (AFP via Getty)
A McLaughlin & Associates survey commissioned by Republican Bruce Blakeman's campaign found Gov. Kathy Hochul leading 49.6% to 45.7% among 800 likely New York voters, with 4.7% undecided. The poll was conducted Aug. 27–31.
By region, Hochul led 60% to 33% in New York City, while Blakeman led 53% to 43% in the suburbs and 51% to 46% upstate. The survey also found that about 30% of likely voters said they had never heard of Blakeman or had no opinion of him.
Voter sentiment toward the incumbent skewed negative: 55% held an unfavorable view of Hochul and 56% said it was time to give someone else a chance, while 38% said she had performed well enough to deserve re-election.
The majority of voters (56%) believe it's time to give someone else a chance to do better, while only 38% say Kathy Hochul has performed well enough as Governor to deserve re-election,
The results show New York voters are dissatisfied with the direction of the state and Governor Hochul continues to miss critical benchmarks for a safe incumbent, leaving the opportunity for Bruce Blakeman to defeat Kathy Hochul this November.
Blakeman pushed back, saying voters are ready to replace Hochul this November:
The Worst Governor in America is on the ropes, and New Yorkers have had enough. This November, they're going to fire Kathy Hochul and elect me to make New York affordable again, keep families here, and build a new era where everyone has the opportunity to prosper.
On fundraising, Hochul maintains a substantial advantage: her campaign reported about $21 million on hand in July and the state Democratic Party reported roughly $22 million more. By comparison, Blakeman's campaign, the Nassau County Republican Party and allied GOP groups have raised about $11 million, with additional outside spending backing his bid.
Context and caveats: The survey was commissioned by Blakeman's campaign, which can affect question design and presentation. The released summary did not specify a margin of error. With nearly 5% undecided and a sizable share unfamiliar with Blakeman, the race remains fluid as campaigns intensify in the months ahead.
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