SIENA DILEMMA: Most New Yorkers want a Democratic governor, but even among Democrats, New Yorkers remain fed up with Gov. Kathy Hochul. A new Siena poll found 57 percent of New Yorkers want a new governor — a bad sign for the incumbent who is facing re-election challengers 18 months before she is to appear on a primary ballot. She has an eight-point edge within her own party, but nearly all Republicans said they want a change. And it stands to reason: Half those surveyed say the state is headed in the wrong direction, and two-thirds have a negative view of the state’s fiscal health under Hochul, who took office in 2021. The poll found that 49 percent of the 834 registered New York voters have an unfavorable view of Hochul, but she won the support of 55 percent within her own party. And in answering a separate question, two-thirds of Democrats said they approve of Hochul’s job performance — offset by massive disapproval among Republicans. Taken together, the results show a tough road ahead for the centrist governor as voters register anger with incumbents nationwide. “I realize I have done an awful lot of good for the people of this state, but I'm not sure they understand how passionate I am about taking care of people, like Sally, and I’m going to let them see who I really am,” Hochul said. She made the comments while touring an Albany supermarket, where she touted her new policy of “Inflation Refund” checks to constituents by “shopping” with constituent Sally McKenna. Yet the two left their cart full of meat, produce and eggs behind. (A spokesperson for Hochul said the state would donate the food to a local pantry). Flashback to January 2022, 10 months before the governor would hold onto her seat by a slim margin and be blamed for Democratic losses down the ballot, voters were asked the same question. Even leading up to that disaster for Democrats, 70 percent of Democratic voters said they would reelect her. “That is absolutely going to be a challenge for the governor moving forward,” Siena poll spokesperson Steve Greenberg said. The poll did show the governor made small gains among Republicans and males when compared to an October survey, which polled likely presidential election voters, a slightly different group. It also showed that Biden’s approval rating dipped further, while Hochul’s gained just a bit, with 39 percent of voters viewing her favorably, up three points. Hochul’s likely challengers are already capitalizing on the new poll. “These are the abysmal numbers of an abysmal governor in grave danger of losing the governorship,” Democratic Rep. and likely gubernatorial candidate Ritchie Torres told Playbook. “Governor Hochul, who is an unusually unpopular incumbent, has a ceiling whereas I have a floor,” Torres added. “I have massive growth potential, and should I choose to run, I will have the war chest required to share my personal story and communicate my message to New Yorkers. Better to be a rising star than a failing incumbent.” Torres has $11 million in the bank and could transfer it all to a gubernatorial campaign. Republican Rep. Mike Lawler, another likely contender for governor, also attacked Hochul. “Two things are clear: New Yorkers are looking for change and Kathy Hochul is the most unpopular and ineffective governor in America,” said Chris Russell, a spokesperson for the Lawler campaign. “Congressman Lawler thanks Governor Hochul and Democrats for spending over $20 million dollars building up his name ID in the New York media market.” The poll showed most New Yorkers have never heard of Torres and Lawler. Over 60 percent said they “don’t know” or have “no opinion” of the two House members. “Outside of the district, very few people know who their adjoining congress people are or congress people from other parts of the state,” Greenberg said, noting Zeldin’s “don’t know” numbers were similar two years ago. “I am not going to sit here and analyze it; I just kind of glanced at the stories,” Hochul said of the poll. “It doesn't matter. I'm going to continue letting New Yorkers know who I am, who I'm fighting for, very directly, and I'm going to get out there more and let them see me.” — Jason Beeferman | 
