On March 28, a Siena College poll of registered New York State voters released found that in a three-way Democratic gubernatorial primary, Governor Kathy Hochul has a commanding 40-point lead over both New York City Public Advocate Jumaane Williams and Rep. Tom Suozzi among registered New York Democrats. But if former Governor Andrew Cuomo runs in the democratic primary, Hochul’s lead shrinks to within the margin of error.
If Hochul, Williams and Suozzi are in a democratic primary for Governor, Hochul gets 52%, with Williams at 12% and Suozzi at 6%, with 25% still undecided.
If its Cuomo, Hochul, Williams and Suozzi in a democratic primary, Hochul get 38%, Cuomo 30%, Suozzi 10%, Williams 7%, and 15% undecided.
“If the Democratic candidates for governor in the primary 85 days from now are Hochul, Suozzi and Williams, Hochul currently has the support of 52% of Democrats, compared to 12% for Williams and 11% for Suozzi,” said Siena College pollster Steven Greenberg.
“However, if Cuomo files petitions to run in the next 10 days, he enters the race trailing his chosen successor by only eight points, 38-30%, with Suozzi and Williams way behind.”
Hochul has a 45% favorability rating and 67% with Demcrats, while Cuomo is underwater with members of his own party with a 32% favorable and 60% unfavorable rating.
When asked what Cuomo should do this year, 18% of voters said run in the Democratic primary, 10% run as independent in November, and 67% not run for governor in 2022. Among Democrats, 33% say run in primary, 8% say run as independent, and 54% of Democrats say don’t run.
“In a three-way race, Hochul has a commanding lead no matter how you look at it. She leads by 29 points in New York City, 28 points in the downstate suburbs and 56 points upstate. She leads with liberals by 42 points and leads Williams among Black Democrats 39-17%,” Greenberg said.
“More than half of Democrats don’t want Cuomo to run for governor this year and only one-third
say he should run in the primary,” Greenberg said. “Despite all that, Cuomo would be very much in the game – if he decides to put himself in the game.
“The two are tied in New York City, likely home to a majority of Democratic primary voters. Hochul leads by eight points in the downstate suburbs and 25 points upstate. Cuomo has a two-to-one lead with Black Democrats and Hochul has a comparable lead among white Democrats, while Latinos are closely divided,” Greenberg said.
Suozzi has a 20% favorable, 18% unfavorable, and 62% unknown rating.
On the Republican side, all four major candidates for Governor are still unknown by a majority of New Yorkers.
-Lee Zeldin, the NYGOP endorsed nominee for Governor, is viewed favorably by 20%, unfavorably by 20% and unknown by 60%.
-Rob Astorino has similar numbers, 21% favorable, 18% unfavorable and 62% unknown.
-Andrew Guiliani -25% fav, 50% unfav. 25% unknown.
-Harry Wilson -13% favorable, 9% unfavorable, 78% unknown
Former President Donald Trump has a 34% favorable and 61% unfavorable in New York State.
