Gov. Kathy Hochul’s favorability sees reprieve — while Schumer’s nosedives and AOC’s soars: poll

ALBANY — Gov. Kathy Hochul has something to celebrate, a poll actually suggesting more New Yorkers like her than don’t — but the same cannot be said for longtime Sen. Chuck Schumer, who notched his lowest rating in two decades.

According to a newly released Siena College poll conducted last week, 44% of New Yorkers rated Hochul favorably, compared to 43% unfavorably.

“For the first time since January 2024, Hochul has a positive — barely — favorability rating,” Siena poll spokesperson Steve Greenberg wrote in a statement.

The governor saw her favorability tick up 4% from 40% in March and her unfavorability drop 7% from 50% in the same month.

Despite the silver lining, Hochul’s polling still remains dismal overall. Just 39% of voters said they would vote for her over “someone else” if the election were held today, including just 51% of Democrats. The poll showed 48% prefer someone else.

Just 41% of those polled indicated New York is on the “right track” versus heading in the “wrong direction.” Only 51% of Democrats said the state was on the right track.

Hochul traded her usual putrid poll numbers with fellow statewide Democrat, Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY), who posted his lowest favorability in 20 years.

Liberals appear to be turning their backs on the Senate minority leader after he caved and let a vote move forward on Republicans’ budget resolution last month.

“A first in a Siena College poll: Schumer is 10 points underwater, with a plurality of voters viewing him unfavorably,” Greenberg said.

Schumer was rated 39% favorable and 49% unfavorable.

“While he continues to be viewed unfavorably by more than two-thirds of Republicans and a majority of independents, Schumer saw his standing with Democrats, particularly liberals, fall dramatically,” Greenberg added.

While Schumer saw a dip, progressive Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) saw the opposite. The Democratic Socialist pol was rated 47% favorable and 33% unfavorable in the poll, with 64% favorability amongst Democrats.

“While Schumer’s fifth term runs through 2028, Ocasio-Cortez has established herself as a New York Democrat to watch,” Greenberg said.