Blakeman inching closer to Hochul in NY gov race, new Siena poll suggests

A new Siena Research Institute poll indicates that Republican gubernatorial candidate Bruce Blakeman is narrowing the gap against incumbent Democratic Governor Kathy Hochul in New York, with Election Day approximately six weeks away. The September poll shows Hochul leading Blakeman 50% to 41% among likely voters, a nine-point spread, which is down from a 10-point lead in August. This margin is significantly closer than the 17-point deficit a Republican candidate faced at a similar point in the previous election cycle. Despite the shift, 66% of likely voters, including 37% of Republicans, believe Hochul will win. Blakeman stated, "All polls continue to show Kathy Hochul’s downward spiral and me closing the gap." The poll also found that Donald Trump's endorsement negatively impacts Blakeman's campaign for 51% of those polled, and Trump's favorability among likely New York voters decreased from 38% to 34%.