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Tight Race for New York Governor as Blakeman Gains on Hochul
New poll shows incumbent Kathy Hochul's lead over Republican challenger Bruce Blakeman narrowing
Mar. 31, 2026 at 3:34pm
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The tight race for New York governor reflects the state's shifting political landscape and the battle for voters' priorities.NYC TodayAccording to a new Siena University poll, the race for New York governor between incumbent Democrat Kathy Hochul and Republican challenger Bruce Blakeman, the Nassau County Executive, has tightened significantly. Hochul still maintains a 13-point lead, but that's down from a 20-point advantage just a month ago. Blakeman has been gaining ground as he campaigns on issues like reducing the cost of living in the state.
Why it matters
The New York gubernatorial race is a closely watched contest, with national implications as Democrats seek to hold on to the seat and Republicans aim to flip it. The tightening of the race suggests an increasingly competitive campaign that could come down to the wire in November.
The details
According to the Siena poll, Hochul leads Blakeman by a margin of 47% to 34% among registered New York voters. However, that's down from a 51-31% lead Hochul held just a month prior. Blakeman has been making gains, particularly among independent voters, who now favor him by 7 points after previously siding with Hochul. Hochul's favorability and job approval ratings have remained relatively stable, while Blakeman has struggled with name recognition, with 64% of voters saying they don't know enough about him.
- The Siena University poll was conducted from March 20-24, 2026.
The players
Kathy Hochul
The incumbent Democratic governor of New York, seeking re-election.
Bruce Blakeman
The Republican challenger and Nassau County Executive, running against Hochul for governor.
What they’re saying
“We're closing the gap at lightning speed because New Yorkers need real relief from Kathy Hochul's cost of living crisis, and they'll get it with my plan to cut income taxes, slash utility bills in half, and make New York affordable.”
— Bruce Blakeman, Republican Gubernatorial Candidate
“Interestingly, Hochul's standing with New Yorkers is essentially the same as last month – a small plurality views her favorably, and a small majority approves of the job she's doing as governor – as is Blakeman's, yet the race between the two has tightened a little.”
— Steven Greenberg, Siena Pollster
What’s next
The next major event in the New York gubernatorial race will be the first debate between Hochul and Blakeman, scheduled for October 15th.
The takeaway
The tightening of the New York governor's race between Hochul and Blakeman suggests a competitive campaign ahead, with Blakeman making gains on key issues like the cost of living. However, Hochul maintains a solid lead and strong favorability, leaving the outcome still uncertain with several months until Election Day.
