← Back to Our Work

New York Governor
2026 General Election

Image and Ballot Testing
July 2nd, 2026

New York Direction

Full Question: Would you say things in New York are headed in the right direction or in the wrong direction?

Topline

Wrong direction
48%
Right direction
35%
Unsure
18%

Crosstabs

Wrong directionRight directionUnsure
Democrat24%52%24%
Republican85%11%4%
NP/Other50%28%22%
Female44%36%20%
Male52%33%15%
18-3419%42%39%
35-4441%39%19%
45-5458%25%17%
55-6458%29%13%
65+50%37%13%
Conservative81%10%9%
Moderate43%36%20%
Liberal14%62%24%
White55%31%14%
Black19%50%31%
Hispanic37%45%19%
Other Race27%39%34%
HS54%29%17%
Some College49%31%20%
College44%39%17%
Grad+39%44%16%
4 of 453%34%14%
3 of 456%30%14%
2 of 442%48%11%
1 of 450%26%24%
0 of 425%38%37%
New York43%39%18%
Buffalo60%25%14%
Albany47%36%17%
Rochester63%22%15%
Syracuse64%20%16%
Other DMA50%30%20%
Lower Higher

Most Important Issue

Full Question: What do you consider to be the MOST important issue facing New York?
Inflation and the cost of living • Protecting our Democracy • Taxes and government spending • Affordable housing • Immigration and border security • Crime and public safety • Property taxes • Jobs and the economy • Healthcare access • Other (open-ended) • Improving K-12 education outcomes • Other

Topline

Inflation
25%
Protect Democracy
14%
Taxes/Spending
10%
Housing
8%
Border/Immigr.
8%
Crime/Safety
7%
Property Tax
6%
Economy/Jobs
5%
Healthcare
3%
Other (open-ended)
3%
Education
1%
Other
9%

Crosstabs — Party, Gender, Age, Ideology, Race

DemocratRepublicanNP/OtherFemaleMale18-3435-4445-5455-6465+ConservativeModerateLiberalWhiteBlackHispanicOther Race
Inflation29%15%29%29%20%52%20%28%18%20%17%30%27%22%26%38%35%
Protect Democracy20%8%11%14%15%10%15%7%13%19%9%11%27%16%14%6%14%
Taxes/Spending3%19%12%6%15%5%8%15%13%8%17%10%1%13%1%1%5%
Housing12%1%7%8%7%15%10%5%7%6%3%8%13%4%23%14%10%
Border/Immigr.4%16%4%8%6%1%8%7%10%8%16%5%0%8%6%12%2%
Crime/Safety5%9%8%7%8%3%6%7%11%7%11%7%2%8%7%5%4%
Property Tax3%9%7%6%6%1%5%4%7%7%6%6%5%6%8%2%10%
Economy/Jobs7%4%3%5%5%5%10%7%5%3%3%5%7%5%4%9%5%
Healthcare5%3%2%3%3%2%4%2%2%4%0%3%8%4%1%0%4%
Other (open-ended)4%3%3%4%2%0%0%3%2%6%4%4%2%3%3%0%8%
Education1%1%2%2%1%2%0%3%1%2%2%1%1%1%2%4%0%
Other6%13%12%8%11%3%13%12%10%9%12%9%7%10%6%10%4%
Lower Higher

Crosstabs — Education, Vote History, DMA

HSSome CollegeCollegeGrad+4 of 43 of 42 of 41 of 40 of 4New YorkBuffaloAlbanyRochesterSyracuseOther DMA
Inflation32%16%24%24%20%21%35%17%43%25%19%21%33%20%28%
Protect Democracy10%15%21%15%15%14%16%12%14%14%13%20%10%16%12%
Taxes/Spending9%11%10%10%11%11%5%11%6%6%17%15%17%18%15%
Housing4%10%10%9%7%8%3%11%9%10%0%5%3%2%5%
Border/Immigr.11%8%4%4%6%14%3%20%5%8%8%3%6%7%11%
Crime/Safety7%7%6%8%8%8%9%11%2%9%4%3%8%4%4%
Property Tax7%4%5%5%7%4%7%1%3%5%4%8%8%7%9%
Economy/Jobs4%7%6%6%7%1%4%1%6%6%7%1%5%3%5%
Healthcare2%2%3%8%3%2%11%2%2%4%1%3%2%6%2%
Other (open-ended)4%3%2%2%4%4%0%0%1%3%2%5%1%4%3%
Education1%3%2%2%1%3%1%2%1%2%1%3%0%2%0%
Other9%13%7%9%10%10%7%12%8%8%22%11%6%10%8%
Lower Higher

Most Important Issue (OE)

Full Question: What do you consider to be the MOST important issue facing New York?
141 verbatim responses • Some responses fit into multiple themes

Topline

Opposing Ideology
49%
Gov't Corruption
20%
Cost of Living
18%
Crime/Safety
6%
Environment
13%

Crosstabs

Opposing IdeologyGov't CorruptionCost of LivingCrime/SafetyEnvironment
Democrat85%0%15%0%0%
Republican47%24%28%5%4%
NP/Other44%15%0%9%32%
Female55%27%14%6%10%
Male44%14%22%6%14%
18-34100%0%0%0%0%
35-4430%0%70%0%0%
45-5443%36%0%21%0%
55-6454%31%5%0%10%
65+52%17%14%7%22%
Conservative45%21%20%4%13%
Moderate51%23%10%20%15%
Liberal85%0%15%0%0%
White57%17%9%8%16%
Black100%0%0%0%0%
Hispanic0%31%69%0%0%
Other Race0%100%0%0%0%
HS60%15%0%0%25%
Some College26%33%44%6%0%
College73%17%24%0%0%
Grad+43%7%0%24%26%
4 of 434%15%33%6%23%
3 of 450%50%0%0%0%
2 of 483%0%0%17%0%
1 of 40%100%0%0%0%
0 of 4100%0%0%0%0%
New York58%3%6%7%26%
Buffalo56%34%4%6%0%
Albany0%0%0%100%0%
Rochester63%55%19%0%0%
Syracuse26%9%54%0%11%
Other DMA0%100%100%0%0%
Lower Higher

Theme Definitions

Opposing Ideology
Ranging from anti-socialism and anti-communism to anti-Trump and pro-democracy positions.
"Protecting our CONSTITUTIONAL REPUBLIC"
"getting rid of all communists and democrats"
Gov't Corruption
Respondents identify government corruption, fraud, and official misconduct as critical issues, frequently naming specific politicians.
"Everything Kathy Hochul is a crook and should be thrown in jai..."
"Corporate control of resources endemic corruption"
Cost of Living
Respondents cite inflation, property taxes, housing affordability, and overall cost of living as major concerns affecting their daily financial stability.
"Inflation, cost of living, taxes"
"Economic issues - combination of cost of living, housing, heal..."
Crime/Safety
Respondents express concerns about crime, safety, homelessness, and public disorder affecting neighborhood livability.
"Put criminals in jail and prison"
"crime and poor neighborhood. stolen"
Environment
Respondents prioritize environmental protection, opposing data centers and solar field development while advocating for green energy and natural resource conservation.
"Farmland being destroyed by solar fields and data centers"
"Staunching the flow of resources to data centers"

Rise of Socialism

Full Question: How concerned are you about the rise of socialism and of candidates from the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) Party in New York?
Very concerned • Somewhat concerned • Not very concerned • Not at all concerned

Topline

V. Concerned
45%
Sw' Concerned
10%
Not V. Concerned
14%
Not Concerned
31%

Crosstabs

V. ConcernedSw' ConcernedNot V. ConcernedNot Concerned
Democrat23%14%20%43%
Republican80%4%3%13%
NP/Other47%9%16%27%
Female44%11%14%31%
Male47%9%15%29%
18-3417%12%29%42%
35-4436%7%9%47%
45-5452%9%13%26%
55-6457%10%14%18%
65+47%11%13%29%
Conservative85%7%2%6%
Moderate41%14%20%25%
Liberal2%8%23%67%
White49%9%13%29%
Black16%18%25%42%
Hispanic55%3%13%29%
Other Race30%17%15%37%
HS52%11%15%22%
Some College51%9%13%27%
College40%10%13%38%
Grad+30%10%18%42%
4 of 447%10%14%29%
3 of 453%10%6%30%
2 of 442%11%17%31%
1 of 448%6%7%39%
0 of 431%11%26%32%
New York43%11%13%34%
Buffalo55%8%12%26%
Albany43%8%16%32%
Rochester48%16%17%19%
Syracuse56%12%16%16%
Other DMA46%2%22%30%
Lower Higher

Trump Approval

Full Question: Do you approve or disapprove of President Donald Trump's job performance?

Topline

Approve
36%
Disapprove
54%
Unsure
10%

Crosstabs

ApproveDisapproveUnsure
Democrat11%80%9%
Republican75%17%8%
NP/Other39%48%13%
Female34%55%12%
Male39%54%7%
18-349%80%11%
35-4425%61%14%
45-5444%40%15%
55-6446%45%9%
65+40%54%6%
Conservative77%14%10%
Moderate26%60%15%
Liberal2%95%3%
White44%50%6%
Black4%83%12%
Hispanic26%45%29%
Other Race17%72%11%
HS47%42%11%
Some College39%49%12%
College28%65%7%
Grad+21%72%7%
4 of 438%55%7%
3 of 442%48%9%
2 of 428%57%15%
1 of 444%44%12%
0 of 424%60%16%
New York32%58%10%
Buffalo48%46%6%
Albany33%58%8%
Rochester46%48%6%
Syracuse43%45%12%
Other DMA44%42%15%
Lower Higher

Mamdani Image

Full Question: Do you approve or disapprove of New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani's job performance?

Topline

Approve
36%
Disapprove
42%
Unsure
21%
Never Heard
1%

Crosstabs

ApproveDisapproveUnsureNever Heard
Democrat56%20%23%1%
Republican10%75%15%0%
NP/Other29%45%24%3%
Female40%37%21%2%
Male32%47%21%1%
18-3448%18%33%1%
35-4450%37%12%1%
45-5427%48%20%4%
55-6424%54%22%1%
65+37%42%20%0%
Conservative5%81%12%1%
Moderate31%34%34%2%
Liberal81%5%13%1%
White33%48%18%1%
Black53%14%33%0%
Hispanic36%36%27%1%
Other Race45%29%23%3%
HS27%48%24%1%
Some College31%46%22%1%
College44%37%18%1%
Grad+52%30%17%1%
4 of 438%45%17%0%
3 of 426%46%27%1%
2 of 448%37%13%2%
1 of 430%48%20%2%
0 of 437%25%34%4%
New York41%39%19%1%
Buffalo31%53%13%3%
Albany36%36%27%1%
Rochester18%54%28%0%
Syracuse26%51%23%0%
Other DMA30%41%28%2%
Lower Higher

Hochul Image

Full Question: What is your opinion of Kathy Hochul?

Topline

Favorable
32%
Unfavorable
50%
Unsure
16%
Never Heard
2%

Crosstabs

FavorableUnfavorableUnsureNever Heard
Democrat48%26%22%4%
Republican9%83%8%0%
NP/Other28%58%13%2%
Female34%44%18%4%
Male30%57%13%0%
18-3423%50%25%1%
35-4434%44%21%0%
45-5418%59%16%6%
55-6432%56%12%0%
65+40%45%13%3%
Conservative8%85%5%2%
Moderate34%43%20%3%
Liberal59%16%23%1%
White30%55%14%1%
Black48%13%35%4%
Hispanic31%54%5%10%
Other Race36%43%18%2%
HS28%56%12%4%
Some College27%53%17%3%
College36%46%17%0%
Grad+43%38%19%1%
4 of 437%51%13%0%
3 of 423%54%19%4%
2 of 429%40%24%7%
1 of 424%58%17%0%
0 of 430%45%20%5%
New York36%43%18%3%
Buffalo27%60%13%0%
Albany34%49%17%0%
Rochester18%66%16%0%
Syracuse23%70%7%0%
Other DMA24%66%10%0%
Lower Higher

Blakeman Image

Full Question: What is your opinion of Bruce Blakeman?

Topline

Favorable
26%
Unfavorable
21%
Unsure
21%
Never Heard
32%

Crosstabs

FavorableUnfavorableUnsureNever Heard
Democrat9%32%20%40%
Republican52%8%20%20%
NP/Other29%15%25%30%
Female22%19%22%37%
Male30%24%20%26%
18-349%25%19%47%
35-4419%27%20%34%
45-5437%16%21%26%
55-6433%18%23%25%
65+26%22%21%32%
Conservative55%5%22%19%
Moderate19%22%20%38%
Liberal1%40%20%39%
White30%23%20%28%
Black4%15%24%57%
Hispanic29%15%20%37%
Other Race17%23%26%33%
HS31%16%19%33%
Some College24%16%27%33%
College24%25%21%30%
Grad+22%33%17%29%
4 of 430%23%19%29%
3 of 425%23%23%29%
2 of 422%22%15%41%
1 of 428%21%20%30%
0 of 416%12%29%42%
New York23%24%21%33%
Buffalo37%18%18%27%
Albany29%26%21%24%
Rochester36%9%27%28%
Syracuse30%13%24%34%
Other DMA26%18%16%40%
Lower Higher

Hochul Performance

Full Question: Has Kathy Hochul performed well enough as Governor to deserve re-election, or is it time to give someone else a chance to do better?
Time for someone new • Deserves re-election • Unsure

Topline

Someone New
55%
Re-Elect
33%
Unsure
13%

Crosstabs

Someone NewRe-ElectUnsure
Democrat34%48%18%
Republican84%11%5%
NP/Other62%27%11%
Female52%35%14%
Male58%30%11%
18-3460%22%18%
35-4455%32%13%
45-5461%20%19%
55-6460%35%5%
65+48%40%12%
Conservative87%9%4%
Moderate48%34%19%
Liberal24%61%15%
White59%30%11%
Black28%57%14%
Hispanic53%28%19%
Other Race48%34%17%
HS61%30%9%
Some College58%26%16%
College51%37%12%
Grad+43%40%17%
4 of 454%36%10%
3 of 464%23%13%
2 of 444%36%19%
1 of 466%28%7%
0 of 450%32%18%
New York49%37%14%
Buffalo70%23%7%
Albany54%39%7%
Rochester63%16%20%
Syracuse69%24%6%
Other DMA69%24%7%
Lower Higher

Governor Ballot

Full Question: If the November 3rd general election for Governor of New York were held today, who would you vote for between these candidates?
Kathy Hochul, Democrat • Bruce Blakeman, Republican / Conservative Party / Vote Affordable Party • Undecided

Topline

Hochul, D
47%
Blakeman, R
41%
Undecided
12%

Crosstabs

Hochul, DBlakeman, RUndecided
Democrat70%14%16%
Republican16%81%4%
NP/Other37%49%14%
Female51%38%11%
Male41%46%13%
18-3448%22%30%
35-4454%35%10%
45-5434%54%13%
55-6442%49%9%
65+51%40%9%
Conservative12%80%9%
Moderate48%36%16%
Liberal87%3%10%
White42%49%9%
Black80%6%14%
Hispanic44%37%19%
Other Race46%21%33%
HS34%50%16%
Some College45%45%10%
College55%35%10%
Grad+63%28%9%
4 of 449%44%7%
3 of 436%45%19%
2 of 453%34%14%
1 of 442%46%11%
0 of 448%31%21%
New York53%35%12%
Buffalo34%52%14%
Albany51%41%8%
Rochester25%60%15%
Syracuse28%50%22%
Other DMA38%57%4%
Lower Higher

Methodology & Demographics

Fielded On
June 30 - July 2, 2026
Method
Mobile Text Responses and Live Interviews
Population & Sample
1085 Likely General Election Voters
Weighting
Age, Gender, Education, Race, DMA and Registered Party
Margin of Error
+/- 2.96%
Contact
Ryan Munce, President
co/efficient
[email protected]

Registered Party

Democrat48%
Republican29%
NP/Other22%

Gender

Female54%
Male46%

Age

18-3412%
35-4414%
45-5415%
55-6420%
65+39%

Ideology

Conservative35%
Moderate37%
Liberal28%

Race

White73%
Black10%
Hispanic9%
Other Race8%

Education

HS36%
Some College23%
College23%
Grad+18%

Last 4 Generals

4 of 455%
3 of 416%
2 of 48%
1 of 45%
0 of 416%

DMA

New York63%
Buffalo9%
Albany8%
Rochester7%
Syracuse6%
Other DMA7%

Household Income

<$50k14%
$50-75k19%
$75-100k14%
$100-150k32%
$150k+22%