Gov. Kathy Hochul continues to hold a double-digit lead over Representative Lee Zeldin, her challenger, according to a recent poll.
The Emerson College, Pix11, The Hill survey of somewhat likely and very likely voters taken between Sept. 4 and Sept. 6 showed the incumbent, a Democrat, leading Mr. Zeldin, the Republican and Conservative Party nominee, by 15 points, 50 percent to 35 percent. Six percent said they would vote for someone else, and 9 percent were undecided.
An Emerson College poll conducted between July 26 and July 28 had the governor leading Mr. Zeldin by a slightly larger margin, 51 percent to 35 percent.
The poll also found that the governor leads among Hispanic voters, with 59 percent, and among Black voters, with 72 percent. White voters are evenly split between the candidates, each winning 44 percent of poll respondents.
The poll also found that 80 percent of New York voters agree that access to abortion should be legal in the third trimester, with 30 percent saying it should always be allowed, and 50 percent saying it should be allowed if there is a risk to the mother’s life. This may hurt Mr. Zeldin’s chances, given his statements in opposition to abortion access.
On the other hand, the poll found that 61 percent of New York voters think the current bail reform policy has increased crime, versus 11 percent who do not. Mr. Zeldin has made crime a focus of his campaign.
