Mamdani more favored than other NY Dems, Hochul leads Blakeman by 19, per new Quinnipiac poll

A new Quinnipiac University poll indicates that New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has a higher favorable rating among likely New York voters than other prominent state Democrats, with 46% viewing him favorably against 36% unfavorably. This 10-point spread exceeds Governor Kathy Hochul's 46% favorable to 43% unfavorable rating. Mamdani, who has faced criticism for his anti-Israel rhetoric, previously campaigned on arresting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, though he has since stated he lacks that authority and will not protest Netanyahu's upcoming UN visit. He told CNN, "When it comes to Benjamin Netanyahu, I have described him as I believe him to be—a war criminal and an architect of a horrific genocide of the Palestinian people." Meanwhile, Governor Hochul leads Republican gubernatorial nominee Bruce Blakeman by 19 points (58% to 39%), with the cost of living and the economy being top voter concerns. The poll, conducted September 17-20, surveyed 1,026 likely New York voters with a margin of error of plus-or-minus 4.1 percentage points.