Overview
- Siena’s Dec. 8–12 poll puts Gov. Kathy Hochul ahead of Elise Stefanik 49% to 30% and ahead of Bruce Blakeman 50% to 25%, with roughly one-fifth of voters undecided in each matchup.
- In the Republican primary, Stefanik leads Blakeman 48% to 17% among GOP voters, while 34% remain undecided.
- Stefanik has endorsements from leaders controlling more than 75% of the state committee’s weighted vote, surpassing the 25% needed at February’s convention to qualify for the June ballot.
- State GOP chair Ed Cox urged avoiding a primary and suggested Blakeman is not the party’s choice, while Blakeman says he is focused on winning the convention and has not committed to petitioning.
- President Trump has declined to endorse, calling both candidates “great people,” as polling shows Blakeman faces steep name-recognition hurdles and Stefanik posts weaker ratings than Blakeman in key suburbs.