NEW YORK — A Siena University poll of likely voters released Wednesday shows incumbent Governor Kathy Hochul retaining a nine‑point advantage over Republican challenger Bruce Blakeman. The poll, conducted among likely voters across the state, recorded Hochul at 50% support and Blakeman at 41%.
Poll numbers and recent trends
The latest figures represent a modest shift from the August Siena poll, which gave Hochul a ten‑point lead. Earlier in the year, a June Siena poll of registered voters showed a much larger gap, with Hochul at 52% and Blakeman at 32%, a twenty‑point advantage. The current poll is the first Siena survey of likely voters in which Hochul has crossed the 50% threshold.
Candidate reactions
Blakeman responded to the numbers by emphasizing his campaign’s momentum. “We will create jobs, we will create prosperity in this state, we will make people happy again in this state because Kathy Hochul has made people miserable,” he said at a press event on Wednesday.
Hochul’s campaign, meanwhile, has launched a new television advertisement that labels Blakeman a “Trump puppet,” warning that his administration would cut health‑care benefits, raise costs, and allow ICE to operate unchecked in New York.
What the numbers mean for voters
While the nine‑point gap remains within single‑digit range, the trend suggests Hochul’s lead has narrowed since the June survey and is slightly lower than the August snapshot. Voters who prioritize economic growth and public safety may find the contrasting messages from the two campaigns particularly relevant as Election Day approaches in six weeks.
Looking ahead
Both campaigns are expected to intensify outreach in the coming weeks, with Blakeman promising to continue building support daily and Hochul’s team focusing on defending her record and countering the “Trump puppet” narrative. As New Yorkers head to the polls on November 3, the race appears competitive, though the incumbent maintains a measurable edge.
Original reporting: Brookhaven News – ABC7 New York — read the source article.
