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Hochul Leads Blakeman 54%–40% in Siena Poll

By Drooid · Oct 28, 2026 · How we work

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Summary

Democratic Governor Kathy Hochul leads Republican challenger Bruce Blakeman 54% to 40% in Siena poll released Oct. 28, 2026.
Hochul’s support rose from 50% in September to 54% in the October poll.
Blakeman’s support fell from 41% in September to 40% in the October poll.
Hochul achieved a 51% favorability rating, her first majority favorable rating.
Blakeman’s recognizability improved as unknown voters dropped from 31% to 21% between September and October.

History

In the November 8 1994 New York gubernatorial race, Republican George Pataki unseated incumbent Democrat Mario Cuomo, the only governor ever to lose re-election and a hallmark of the nationwide Republican Revolution that shifted dozens of states. The upset ended a 12-year Democratic incumbency and established swing-margin dynamics, a pattern reflected in Siena’s October 28 2026 poll showing Kathy Hochul ahead of Bruce Blakeman 54%-40%.

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In the November 8 1994 New York gubernatorial race, Republican George Pataki unseated incumbent Democrat Mario Cuomo, the only governor ever to lose re-election and a hallmark of the nationwide Republican Revolution that shifted dozens of states. The upset ended a 12-year Democratic incumbency and established swing-margin dynamics, a pattern reflected in Siena’s October 28 2026 poll showing Kathy Hochul ahead of Bruce Blakeman 54%-40%.

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