New York Governor Kathy Hochul is “deeply vulnerable,” according to a new internal poll in the New York governor’s race, as potential challenger Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY) is just 5 points behind and closing the gap.
The poll, paid for by Stefanik’s leadership fundraising committee E-PAC, shows the race at 48%-43%.
According to those polled, Hochul’s endorsement of radical socialist NYC mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani could push Stefanik over the top should she officially declare.
In an opinion piece for The New York Times officially endorsing Mamdani, Hochul, who seems more motivated by TDS than by the concerns of the residents of her state, said that she trusted Mamdani would not surrender “one inch” to President Trump.
But her endorsement seems to have turned off voters outside of NYC.
“It is now crystal clear why @KathyHochul bent the knee to the Communist Antisemite running for Mayor because she desperately needed to shore up her own party. Kathy Hochul has destroyed New York State creating an affordability crisis with the highest taxes in the nation, and the… https://t.co/poRcT4ifSc
— Elise Stefanik (@EliseStefanik) October 8, 2025
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul retains just a five percentage-point lead against potential 2026 Republican challenger Elise Stefanik — and loses that advantage when likely voters first hear about both candidates’ records, according to a new internal poll.
Stefanik trails behind Hochul, 48% to 43%, on an initial ballot but narrowly beats the incumbent Democrat, 46.4% to 45.9%, when voters leaning toward voting in the 2026 race hear about the governor endorsing New York City mayoral front-runner and socialist candidate Zohran Mamdani, the poll found, among other issues.
If Mamdani wins Gracie Mansion, up to 47% of independent voters also said they’d be less likely to vote for Hochul or other Democrats up and down the ballot in the midterms.
BREAKING: STUNNING new poll finds the NEW YORK 2026 governor election is only a 5 point race…
Gov. Kathy Hochul: 48% (+5)
Elise Stefanik: 43%When voters learn Hochul endorsed Zohran Mamdani for NYC mayor:
Stefanik: 46.4% (+0.5)
Hochul: 45.9%Wow.
New York… pic.twitter.com/uqfP8qJjvp
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) October 8, 2025
GOP strategist Alex deGrasse notes, “This poll is devastating for the Worst Governor in America.”
“Kathy Hochul’s dismal record of failure and bending the knee to Commie Mamdani is causing her already weak support to crater across New York. Voters want change and a Governor who will fight for them, which is why they will resoundingly reject Kathy Hochul for new leadership in Elise Stefanik if she decides to run for Governor.”
“What is truly remarkable about this poll is that this is before Elise has even formally announced her campaign. There is a reason why Kathy is running scared.”
This poll is devastating for the Worst Governor in America. Kathy Hochul’s dismal record of failure and bending the knee to Commie Mamdani is causing her already weak support to crater across New York. Voters want change and a Governor who will fight for them, which is why… pic.twitter.com/GyuNWPiBvk
— Alex deGrasse (@Degrasse81) October 8, 2025
Stefanik notes, “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.”
“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.”
SAVE NEW YORK https://t.co/2Au76HYmHY
— Elise Stefanik (@EliseStefanik) October 8, 2025
This story originally appeared on TheGateWayPundit
