LOUDONVILLE- According to a poll released earlier this week by Siena College, Governor Kathy Hochul’s job approval rating and favorability each fell a net eight points since January despite the fact most voters regard her as honest, hard-working, and not corrupt.
A majority of registered voters surveyed are closely divided on whether she is effective or a strong leader, and a plurality of voters she is out of touch with average New Yorkers.
Nearly half of voters, 49 percent, identify the cost of living in New York as one of their top two issues for the governor and legislature to address with 29 percent calling it the top issue. The recent influx of migrants, crime, and affordable housing round out the three next top issues.
“After recording her best favorability and job approval ratings in nearly a year last month, Hochul saw both fall by net eight points this month, with her favorability rating slipping back into negative territory, where it spent most of 2023,” Siena College pollster Steven Greenberg said.
According to the poll a majority of voters, 56 percent, continue to report that the quality of life in the state is getting worse, compared to only 14 percent who think it is getting better. A quarter of respondents say quality of life is staying about the same. Among those who believe things are getting worse: two-thirds of Republicans and independents and 42 percent of Democrats.
“The good news for the Governor is that a strong majority of voters – including a majority of independents and a small plurality of Republicans – think she is hard working, and 49% say she is not corrupt – although Republicans are closely divided. A plurality of all voters and a majority of Democrats also think Hochul is honest,” Greenberg said. “While Democrats think she is effective and strong leader, overall voters are closely divided.
The poll also revealed that a majority of Republicans and a plurality of independents, think Hochul is out of touch with average New Yorkers with Democrats closely divided.
CLICK HERE for the full poll results.
