Stefanik polls closer than expected to Hochul for NY governor
The article discusses a recent internal poll commissioned by Rep. Elise Stefanik’s political action committee, which shows her trailing New York Governor Kathy Hochul by only five points in a hypothetical 2026 gubernatorial race (48% to 43%). This narrow margin suggests Stefanik is positioning herself as a strong contender against Hochul, who currently holds the office. The poll indicates Hochul faces “unprecedented vulnerability,” with only 15% of voters firmly supporting her and 19% showing vrey soft support.
The survey highlights factors contributing to Hochul’s weakened standing, including her endorsement of New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani, which appears to have alienated autonomous voters. Stefanik’s team argues that this decision has shifted some on-the-fence voters toward Stefanik.
Stefanik has been considering a governor run for several months, especially after President Trump withdrew her nomination to become U.S. ambassador to the united Nations, citing the slim Republican majority in the House.
However, this internal poll contrasts sharply with a recent Siena College poll that showed Hochul leading stefanik by 25 points. Hochul, who became New York’s first female governor in 2021 following Andrew Cuomo’s resignation, won election in 2022 by about seven points. Stefanik has represented New York’s 21st Congressional district, largely upstate, as 2015. Both the gubernatorial and her congressional elections are anticipated in 2026.
Stefanik polls closer than expected to Hochul ahead of anticipated gubernatorial run
Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY) looks well-positioned for her expected challenge to Gov. Kathy Hochul (D-NY) to be New York‘s next governor after she came up just five points behind in a one-on-one, hypothetical poll commissioned by Stefanik’s PAC.
Stefanik has been eyeing a run for New York governor for several months. Outsider speculation about her possible bid escalated when President Donald Trump revoked her nomination to be ambassador to the U.N. due to concerns about Republicans’ razor-thin House majority.
STEFANIK MOUNTS ‘SHADOW CAMPAIGN’ FOR NEW YORK GOVERNOR AFTER UN LETDOWN
Hochul leads Stefanik by just a 48% to 43% margin in the hypothetical blue-state matchup, according to the internal poll released on Wednesday by GrayHouse pollster Landon Wall, who said Hochul has “unprecedented vulnerability” for a New York Democrat.
The poll also showed 15% of New York voters would definitely reelect Hochul, while 19% displayed “incredibly soft support” for her.
The survey results specifically pointed to Hochul’s endorsement of New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani in mid-September as a tipping point toward Stefanik for on-the-fence voters.
“Kathy Hochul’s coalition is historically fragile: soft support from her own voters, significant growing appetite for change, and her endorsement of politically toxic Zohran Mamdani collapses support among Independents,” Wall said in the poll summary.
Stefanik’s E-PAC commissioned the poll, which surveyed 1,250 likely voters in the 2026 midterm elections. The poll results memo did not specify voters’ demographics or backgrounds.
“A win by Mamdani makes 47% of independent voters less willing to vote for a Democrat for governor, with only 9% saying it would make them more likely to vote Democrat. 59% of NY voters said it was time for anyone but Hochul,” Stefanik wrote on X.
Stefanik’s internal poll was starkly different from other recent polling on the hypothetical matchup. A Siena College poll from mid-September showed Hochul leading Stefanik by a 25-point margin.
STEFANIK CALLS FOR INVESTIGATION INTO HOCHUL OVER FAMILY LEAVE POLICY
Hochul, the first female governor of New York, was sworn in to office in 2021 when former Gov. Andrew Cuomo resigned over sexual harassment allegations, as she was in line of succession as Cuomo’s lieutenant governor. She won her first gubernatorial election in 2022, besting Republican candidate Lee Zeldin by approximately seven points in the general election.
Stefanik has been serving as the representative for New York’s 21st Congressional District since 2015. Her district encompasses a large portion of upstate New York. The next election for her seat is also in 2026.
" Conservative News Daily does not always share or support the views and opinions expressed here; they are just those of the writer."
*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
