2026 Governor’s Race: Hochul leads Blakeman by 11 points in new poll as Dems take a bite out of his public safety claims

Gov. Kathy Hochul holds an 11-point lead over Republican challenger Bruce Blakeman in a new statewide poll released Wednesday, as New York Democrats seek to turn one of the Nassau County executive’s signature campaign issues, public safety, against him.

The Marist poll found Hochul leading Blakeman 53% to 42% among registered voters, with 5% undecided. Blakeman led among independents, 49% to 42%, while the two candidates were tied at 48% among suburban voters.