Harris Leads Trump in New York
Vice President Kamala Harris holds a 14-point lead over former President Donald Trump among likely voters in New York, according to a recent Siena College Research Institute poll. Harris is favored by 53% of respondents, while Trump is supported by 39%. This lead represents a shift from previous months, where President Joe Biden’s lead was narrower, ranging from 8 to 10 points.
Favorability Ratings and Democratic Outlook
Harris enjoys a 53% positive favorability rating compared to a 43% negative rating. This marks an improvement over Biden’s June ratings, which were 42% positive and 53% negative. Trump’s favorability remains consistent at around 39%. The recent polling suggests that voters who were previously undecided or considering third-party candidates are leaning back towards the Democratic party.
New York as a Potential Battleground
The 14-point margin in favor of Harris, while significant, is smaller than the margins seen in past summer polls for Democratic candidates. However, Democratic candidates have historically performed better in New York’s November elections compared to summer polling predictions. The poll indicates that New York may still be a competitive state in the upcoming election.
State-Level Political Landscape
New York Governor Kathy Hochul’s approval remains low, with 39% of respondents viewing her favorably and 50% unfavorably. U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand has a slightly better favorability rating, at 40%, compared to 33% unfavorable. Gillibrand leads her Republican challenger, Mike Sapraicone, 56-33, though Sapraicone remains largely unknown among voters.
Equal Rights Amendment and Policy Issues
The state-level Equal Rights Amendment, which will appear on the ballot in November, has strong support, with 68% of respondents in favor and 23% opposed. The amendment aims to expand anti-discrimination protections and safeguard abortion rights, though the specific language around abortion is under legal scrutiny. Additionally, Governor Hochul’s recent pause on a congestion pricing system in Manhattan has mixed support, with 22% wanting immediate implementation and 59% favoring permanent cancellation.
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