Poll says Stefanik would be strongest Republican to run against Hochul
WATERTOWN, New York (WWNY) - A recent poll shows many New York voters are ready for a change in the governor’s office and there’s solid support for a potential gubernatorial campaign by Congresswoman Elise Stefanik.
A GrayHouse poll conducted by Republican Landon Wall last week shows 61% of respondents say, if the 2026 election were today, it would be time for someone new, while 27% say they would probably re-elect or definitely re-elect Governor Kathy Hochul.
Twelve percent said they were unsure.
In a hypothetical race between Hochul and Stefanik, 46% of responders said they’d vote for Hochul, 40% said Stefanik, and 14% were unsure.
Hochul had slightly better numbers against other potential opponents, Congressman Mike Lawler and Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman.
Among the three potential Republican candidates, Stefanik is the clear favorite with 44% of those polled saying they’d vote for her in the primary. Seven percent favored Lawler, 5% backed Blakeman and 44% remained undecided.
In a potential Democratic primary, 24% favored Hochul, 6% supported former Lt. Governor Antonio Delgado, 7% backed Congressman Ritchie Torres, 8% would choose former Congressman Jamaal Bowman, and 55% said they are undecided.
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