Overview

• A Siena College poll conducted May 12–15 reveals 55% of New Yorkers prefer 'someone else' over Gov. Kathy Hochul for the 2026 gubernatorial race, a 10-point net drop from April.
• Hochul's job approval remains slightly positive at 50%, but her favorability rating has dipped to 44%, with 46% viewing her unfavorably.
• In the Democratic primary, Hochul leads with 46% support, ahead of Antonio Delgado (12%) and Ritchie Torres (10%).
• Elise Stefanik emerges as the GOP frontrunner with 35% support in a hypothetical Republican primary, followed by Mike Lawler at 22% and Bruce Blakeman at 11%.
• The poll highlights growing dissatisfaction among Republicans (82%) and independents (64%), both of whom increasingly favor a new candidate over Hochul.