A new poll shows that the state of New York could be competitive for Republicans as candidates eye challenging unpopular Democratic Governor Kathy Hochul who is running for reelection in 2026.
A GrayHouse poll found that just 36 percent approve of New York Governor Kathy Hochul’s performance and 55 percent disapprove.
‘Kathy Hochul’s numbers have imploded,’ a New York Republican political operative told the Daily Mail, pointing to the devastating approval numbers for her in a state that is primarily comprised of Democrats.
Even President Trump has a higher approval rating than Hochul in the heavily Democratic state – with 43 percent approving and 56 percent disapproving.
The poll of 826 registered voters in New York was conducted between April 22 and 28 with a 4 point margin of error.
Political consultants were dazzled by President Donald Trump‘s increased voter share in New York in the 2024 election, and are excited by indications that the rightward realignment can continue.
Rampant crime, out-of-control immigration, and corruption has seen support swinging towards the Republicans as Empire State residents grow frustrated with the lack of accountability after decades of single party political leadership.
The state’s Democratic leadership has faced a popularity slide on the back of radical left wing policies, such as draconian Covid restrictions and soft-on-crime policing.
Republicans have been reaping the benefits of the realignment.
The Republican Party gained Hispanic, Black, Asian-American voters as suburbanites and working class voters responded to their message of tougher enforcement of crime and immigration, and promising to address the cost of living and inflation.
Trump shocked the state after he only lost by 13 points to Kamala Harris, increasing his voter share in 2024 by 11 points.
The last time New York voted for a Republican president was Ronald Reagan in 1984, 40 years ago.
Trump gained more than 600,000 votes in New York between the 2016 and 2024 elections. Harris’ margin of victory was the narrowest of Democratic presidential candidates since 1992.
In 2022, Republicans flipped all four congressional seats away from Democrats, helping give House Republicans the majority in Washington, DC.
