A new Siena University poll indicates New York Rep. Elise Stefanik is gaining traction in the race for governor, showing a notable shift among independent voters and narrowing the margin against incumbent Gov. Kathy Hochul.

The survey, conducted Nov. 10–12 and released Tuesday, shows Hochul leading Stefanik 52% to 32% in a head-to-head matchup. While the Democratic governor’s overall support remained unchanged from September, Stefanik improved her standing by five points, closing what had been a 25-point gap.

“In the race against Stefanik, Hochul continues to run very strongly with Democrats, 78-9%, however, Stefanik has now widened her lead among Republicans, 79-11%, up from 68-15% in September,” Siena pollster Steven Greenberg said. “She has also significantly narrowed the gap among independents, with whom Hochul now leads 40-36%, down from 43-25% in September.”

The numbers point to emerging vulnerabilities for Hochul as she seeks reelection. While she maintains a commanding 42-point lead in New York City, the race is far more competitive elsewhere: the governor leads by only nine points in the downstate suburbs and by just three points upstate.

Hochul’s favorability rating also dipped slightly, from 45% to 43% since September. According to the poll, 42% of voters say they are prepared to reelect the governor, while 48% prefer “someone else,” though that figure has improved from 37-51% two months earlier.

Among voters who prefer an alternative, 30% want another Democrat, while a majority—53%—say they would prefer a Republican candidate.

The poll surveyed more than 800 registered New York voters and did not include Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, who has recently intensified his efforts to secure the Republican nomination.

Stefanik, currently representing New York’s 21st Congressional District, has positioned herself as the GOP’s leading contender. Hochul, meanwhile, continues her campaign for a full term as the state’s chief executive amid shifting voter sentiment and an increasingly competitive political landscape.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)