Politics · October 8, 2026
Blakeman has big lead over Hochul among independent voters — but Dem ahead overall: poll
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Recent polling and campaign events have highlighted the competitive landscape of the 2026 New York gubernatorial race. An Emerson College/PIX 11 poll shows incumbent Governor Kathy Hochul leading Republican challenger Bruce Blakeman 52% to 40% overall, though Blakeman holds a 21-point advantage among independent voters. While Hochul maintains a double-digit lead in the heavily Democratic state, her approval rating sits at 40%. Concurrently, former President Donald Trump held a rally in Syracuse to support Blakeman and other Republican candidates, emphasizing economic issues, public safety, and energy production.
Recent polling and campaign events have highlighted the competitive landscape of the 2026 New York gubernatorial race. An Emerson College/PIX 11 poll shows incumbent Governor Kathy Hochul leading Republican challenger Bruce Blakeman 52% to 40% overall, though Blakeman holds a 21-point advantage among independent voters. While Hochul maintains a double-digit lead in the heavily Democratic state, her approval rating sits at 40%. Concurrently, former President Donald Trump held a rally in Syracuse to support Blakeman and other Republican candidates, emphasizing economic issues, public safety, and energy production.