It should come to no one’s surprise that New Yorkers are fed up with Gov. Hochul’s spending billions in taxpayer dollars on illegal immigrants. A recent Siena College shows her still in the tank with voters who favor deporting aliens, especially those convicted of crimes.
According to the survey, 79% of those asked think criminal immigrants should hit the road, while 39% think even those without a record must go. They’re also adamant against giving illegals free health care through Medicaid, a huge government benefit supported by Hochul. The majority of Republicans and independents polled believe the state should support federal efforts to deport the migrants.
Known as the “Accidental Governor” after she ascended to the role in the wake of Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s sexual harassment scandal, Hochul has struggled with her image. The Democrat nearly lost to Republican Lee Zeldin in the heavily left-leaning state and nurses a 39% approval rating. Nearly 60% of the sampled electorate say they want someone else.
The Siena College Research Institute (SCRI) is a well-regarded polling operation based in Loudonville, N.Y. It is known for conducting public opinion surveys on politics, elections, and policy issues, particularly in the state but also nationally. SCRI is the leading pollster for New York elections, often working with local media outlets to gauge the sentiment of voters. The poll was conducted at the end of January among 803 registered voters.
Only 22% think Hochul has improved the state’s fiscal picture over the last year, according to Siena pollster Steven Greenberg. She hasn’t had a positive favorability rating since January 2024, and it has never once hit 50% in a state where 49% of voters are members of her party, Greenberg noted. “Never once have a majority of voters viewed Hochul favorably, and at present, only 55% of Democrats view her favorably.”
With Hochul not facing reelection until 2026, at least one Republican challenger has expressed interest in taking her on: Rockland County Congressman Mike Lawler. Recent comments indicate his challenge will key in on the immigration issue. Another possible candidate is Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, who said Hochul unsuccessfully pressured him to retain the county’s sanctuary status.