Governor Kathy Hochul is facing disappointing poll numbers as she prepares for her 2026 reelection campaign, as indicated by a recent poll conducted by Siena College.

Hochul remains underwater with 42% of New Yorkers rating her favorable compared with 47% who see her as unfavorable, the poll shows.

Over the past year, there has been a consistent pattern of more negative than positive ratings for Hochul, with only one month showing otherwise.

Only 37% of voters say they want to re-elect Hochul compared with 55% who prefer someone else, according to the new poll.

The survey was conducted from June 23 to June 26 and coincided with socialist Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani’s victory in the Democratic primary for New York City mayor.

The poll also gave an early look at how Hochul squares up against some of her potential 2026 Republican foes.

If the election were held today, Hochul would beat out North Country Rep. Elise Stefanik 47% to 24%, according to the poll. 

Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman would be defeated 44% to 19%.

Hochul would beat Hudson Valley Rep. Mike Lawler (R-NY) 44% to 24%, according to Siena.

“While the early leads seem large, Hochul is not hitting the ‘magic’ 51% mark against any of these opponents, and in each matchup, between a quarter and a third of voters wasn’t able to choose between the two candidates,” points,” Siena College Research Institute Director Don Levy said.

Siena continues to show Democrats with a pessimistic view of the direction New York is heading. Just under half – 48% – said New York was on the right track compared with 37% that said it was heading the wrong direction.