{"id":2570288,"date":"2026-02-16T07:49:02","date_gmt":"2026-02-16T12:49:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/hochul-has-nearly-cleared-the-field-in-her-path-to-reelection\/"},"modified":"2026-02-16T07:51:18","modified_gmt":"2026-02-16T12:51:18","slug":"hochul-has-nearly-cleared-the-field-in-her-path-to-reelection","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/hochul-has-nearly-cleared-the-field-in-her-path-to-reelection\/","title":{"rendered":"Hochul has nearly cleared the field in her path to reelection"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">22<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fhochul-has-nearly-cleared-the-field-in-her-path-to-reelection%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2570288&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Kathy Hochul is near-unopposed in her bid for reelection as several challengers drop out and her favorability rises, aided by a pragmatic shift to the left and strategic alliances.<\/p>\n<p>Key points:<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Antonio Delgado, Hochul\u2019s main Democratic challenger, quit after Hochul received backing from left-leaning ally Zohran Mamdani and Hochul\u2019s leftward policy moves. Political analyst jacob Neiheisel said the alliance effectively closed Delgado\u2019s lane.<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Hochul has partnered with Mamdani to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/rep-nunes-democrat-relief-bill-a-slush-fund-to-push-progressive-policies\/\" title=\"Rep. Nunes: Democrat relief bill a slush fund to push progressive policies\">push progressive policies<\/a>, including expanding worldwide childcare and reducing ICE influence in the state, contributing to a notable rise in her approval ratings.<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Siena College polling shows Hochul with about 49% favorable views (her best since taking office) and leads over Republican bruce Blakeman 54% to 28% among all voters,with democrats supporting her by a wide margin (64% to 11%). Her improved numbers reflect her leftward concessions and policy wins.<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Elise Stefanik, the Republican contender who initially attacked Hochul, launched a campaign in late 2025 but dropped out after failing to secure Trump\u2019s endorsement; Trump instead endorsed Blakeman.<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Blakeman emphasized making New York affordable and safe and selected Todd Hood as running mate; Hochul remains ahead in polling and is seen as having the stronger position with about eight months to election day.<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; The race has past context: Hochul won New York in 2022, and while the campaign still has time, analysts suggest only a major misstep or crisis could substantially alter the current dynamics.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Hochul has nearly cleared the field in her path to reelection<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_2504806\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>After several reelection challengers have dropped their bids to personal best favorability ratings, things are looking way up for the once-not-so-popular Gov. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/kathy-hochul\/\">Kathy Hochul<\/a> (D-NY).<\/p>\n<p>Hochul is clearing the field in her mission to <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/2026-election\/\">win back Albany this fall<\/a>, knocking another candidate out of her way this week, with Lt. Gov. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/state\/4452874\/hochul-challenger-antonio-delgado-drops-out-of-new-york-gubernatorial-race\/\">Antonio Delgado<\/a> (D-NY) dropping his bid to challenge her. Delgado, Hochul&rsquo;s only prominent Democratic challenger, became the second big hurdle to fall before election day &mdash; Rep. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/elise-stefanik\/\">Elise Stefanik<\/a> (R-NY) being the first.<\/p>\n<div class=\"recommended-stories\">\n<h2>Recommended Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/state\/4456871\/karrin-taylor-robson-exits-arizona-governor-race\/\">Trump-backed candidate exits Arizona governor race, setting up battle between two GOP reps<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/senate\/4455055\/texas-senate-primary-cornyn-ken-paxton-gop-fears\/\">GOP leaders want Trump to endorse Cornyn in Texas Senate primary amid fears of costly fight<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/state\/4453961\/rick-jackson-ahead-georgia-governor-race-polling-despite-leadership-support-burt-jones\/\">Rick Jackson gains wide lead in Georgia governor&#8217;s race as Burt Jones campaign waves off his momentum<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>Delgado forfeited his bid on Tuesday, falling from his attempt at wrangling the more progressive wing of the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/new-york\/\">New York<\/a> party behind him, to having to serve out the rest of his term with his boss he decided to challenge. Hochul likely has one main person to thank for Delgado&rsquo;s decision to drop: her new friend in the Big Apple.<\/p>\n<p>When <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/new-york-city\/\">New York City<\/a> Mayor <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/zohran-mamdani\/\">Zohran Mamdani<\/a> endorsed Hochul&rsquo;s bid for reelection on Feb. 5, he coalesced his loyal leftist supporters around her and drained Delgado&rsquo;s likely base of progressive support. <\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;After much consideration, I&rsquo;ve concluded that there simply is no <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/new-mexico-democrat-candidate-gabe-vasquez-deletes-tweets-slamming-oil-to-masquerade-as-moderate\/\" title=\"New Mexico Democrat ... Gabe Vasquez Deletes Tweets Slamming Oil To Masquerade As Moderate\">viable path forward<\/a>. And though my campaign has come to an end, I fully intend to do all I can in our effort to build a more humane, affordable, and equitable state that serves all New Yorkers,&rdquo; Delgado <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/state\/4452874\/hochul-challenger-antonio-delgado-drops-out-of-new-york-gubernatorial-race\/\">said<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Jacob Neiheisel, <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >political science professor<\/a> and campaign expert at the University of Buffalo, told the <em>Washington Examiner<\/em> that despite Delgado tapping a Democratic Socialists of America running mate pick with India Walton this month, once Hochul and Mamdani embraced each other, there was not much  he could do.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;I think with Hochul tacking left, embracing Mamdani, and that being reciprocated, I don&rsquo;t think that there was a lane to really run in for Delgado,&rdquo; Neiheisel said. &ldquo;It was really just something that would potentially split the party without much in the way of benefits.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Between appearing with Mamdani in multiple press conferences and working with him on several policy initiatives, Hochul &mdash; once seen as a Democratic moderate &mdash; is making a significant, pragmatic progressive swing. Hochul partnered with Mamdani to <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/infrastructure\/4411594\/hochul-mamdani-free-child-care-2-year-olds\/\">expand universal child care<\/a> in the state and city, and partnered with his administration in making announcement to <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/immigration\/4441262\/hochul-introduces-bill-to-curb-local-and-federal-law-enforcement-agreements\/\">curb Immigration and Customs Enforcement influence<\/a> in the state.<\/p>\n<p>Hochul&rsquo;s pragmatic bend toward working with the leftist mayor has not only cleared Delgado from the primary, but it&rsquo;s also boosted her favorability ratings. They have switched dramatically from this time last year, turning around from completely <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/sri.siena.edu\/2025\/02\/03\/hochuls-favorability-approval-re-elect-ratings-remain-underwater-many-of-her-budget-state-of-state-proposals-enjoy-widespread-support\/\">underwater<\/a> to the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/sri.siena.edu\/2026\/02\/03\/hochul-with-her-best-ever-favorability-rating-49-40-continues-to-hold-commanding-leads-over-blakeman-54-28-among-dems-delgado-64-11\/\">best it has been<\/a> since she took office, according to Siena University.<\/p>\n<p>Siena tagged Hochul with a 49% positive favorability rating, up ten points from her 39% in Feb. 2025. The <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/sri.siena.edu\/2026\/02\/03\/hochul-with-her-best-ever-favorability-rating-49-40-continues-to-hold-commanding-leads-over-blakeman-54-28-among-dems-delgado-64-11\/\">poll<\/a> found New Yorkers view her policies on no taxes on the first $25,000 in tipped wages, childcare, immigration, and farmer payments favorable. It marks a dramatic shift from the polls through much of her term and in the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/maristpoll.marist.edu\/polls\/the-state-of-new-york-april-2025\/\">first months<\/a> of 2025 when many New Yorkers did not like her and did not want her to seek reelection.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;I think when we started to see those polls from Siena where people didn&rsquo;t like her all that much, that was really people from the left and the right disliking her. And now that she has shored up her left flank, people from the left are more in favor of her,&rdquo; Neiheisel said.<\/p>\n<p>Stefanik captured much of the anti-Hochul sentiments as she ran a shadow campaign for governor throughout much of 2025. She launched her official campaign in Nov. 2025, <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/state\/3878922\/elise-stefanik-new-york-governor-bid\/\">focusing on<\/a> affordability, Hochul&rsquo;s high taxes, and illegal immigration. But never securing a coveted endorsement from President <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/donald-trump\/\">Donald Trump<\/a> for her gubernatorial bid, Stefanik <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/house\/4074726\/stefanik-suspends-gubernatorial-campaign-announces-retirement-congress\/\">dropped her campaign<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Trump endorsed the other Republican candidate, Nassau County Executive <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/house\/4074726\/stefanik-suspends-gubernatorial-campaign-announces-retirement-congress\/\">Bruce Blakeman<\/a>, one day after Stefanik dropped her bid.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Bruce Blakeman is a FANTASTIC guy, will win the big November Election and, without hesitation, has my Complete and Total Endorsement for Governor of the ONCE GREAT STATE OF NEW YORK (IT CAN BE GREAT AGAIN!),&rdquo; Trump wrote on <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/truthsocial.com\/@realDonaldTrump\/posts\/115754059136466585\">Truth Social<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Blakeman selected Madison County Sheriff Todd Hood, his second choice, as his running mate on Tuesday. The Nassau County executive, whom the state GOP just formally selected as its nominee, is projecting confidence and a unifying message heading into the general election, declaring he will be a governor &ldquo;for all.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;We can make New York affordable again, and we can make it safe again. But it won&rsquo;t happen on it&rsquo;s own. It will take leadership that puts New Yorkers first. And rest assured, I&rsquo;m ready to fight for your children and your grandchildren,&rdquo; Blakeman <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/NassauExec\/status\/2022099369663901814?s=20\">said<\/a> this week.<\/p>\n<p>Hochul currently leads Blakeman by 26 percentage points with a 54 to 28 percent margin, per the latest Siena <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/sri.siena.edu\/2026\/02\/03\/hochul-with-her-best-ever-favorability-rating-49-40-continues-to-hold-commanding-leads-over-blakeman-54-28-among-dems-delgado-64-11\/\">poll<\/a>. In mid December, when Stefanik was still in the race, <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/sri.siena.edu\/2025\/12\/16\/hochul-holds-19-point-lead-over-stefanik-leads-blakeman-by-25-points\/\">Siena<\/a> had Hochul leading Blakeman by 25 points and leading Stefanik by a closer 19 point margin. The <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/sri.siena.edu\/2025\/08\/12\/hochul-approval-favorability-ratings-up-a-little-hochul-lead-over-stefanik-in-2026-race-falls-to-14-points-45-31-from-23-points-47-24-in-june-voters-say-if-stefanik-runs-is-elected-g\/\">closest Siena margin<\/a> was a hypothetical Hochul versus Stefanik poll in August that had Hochul leading by 14 points.<\/p>\n<p>In 2022, Hochul inched ahead of Republican <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/lee-zeldin\/\">Lee Zeldin<\/a> by 5.8 points to win the blue state governorship 59.2% to Zeldin&rsquo;s 47.1%.<\/p>\n<p><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/healthcare\/4452466\/kathy-hochul-enters-new-york-who-network\/\">KATHY HOCHUL ENTERS NEW YORK INTO WHO NETWORK AFTER TRUMP PULLS US OUT OF GLOBAL BODY<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>With over eight months until the likely Hochul versus Blakeman matchup, there is a lot of campaign left to go.<\/p>\n<p>But Neiheisel suspects there is not much, &ldquo;absent a catastrophic breakdown of the campaign and of her as a candidate that would change the dynamics of this race.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Hochul widens field as challengers bow out<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3976,"featured_media":2570289,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/AP25294699189281.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651,538],"tags":[8433,42863,8313],"class_list":["post-2570288","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","category-washington-examiner","tag-hochul","tag-newyorkpolitics","tag-reelection"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/AP25294699189281.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2570288","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3976"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2570288"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2570288\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2570292,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2570288\/revisions\/2570292"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2570289"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2570288"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2570288"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2570288"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}