Recent polls indicate that New York Gov. Kathy Hochul's low approval ratings could pose a challenge for Democrats in three New York congressional districts, the New York Post reported Wednesday.
Polling company McLaughlin & Associates conducted the surveys for GOP candidates, finding that more than half of voters in three critical battleground districts — spanning Long Island, the Hudson Valley, and Syracuse regions — view the governor unfavorably.
Pollster Jim McLaughlin said in a campaign memo, "Hochul is extremely unpopular with all voters in key battleground congressional districts — and she has exceptionally high negatives among the all-important Independent voters."
In the Hudson Valley's District 17, where Republican Rep. Mike Lawler is running against former Democrat Rep. Mondaire Jones, 56% of voters expressed negative opinions of Hochul. Similar numbers were reported in Long Island's District 4 and Syracuse's District 22, where 57% and 56% of voters disapprove of Hochul's performance, respectively.
Independent voters were even more critical, with up to 70% of voters in some districts holding negative reviews.
Hochul's rising unpopularity could become a liability for Democrats as Republicans seize on her record.
Lawler said, "It's no surprise that Gov. Hochul has one of the worst approval ratings in America, and it's all thanks to her total inability to lead the state of New York."
He added, "From a state budget that's ballooning out of control to migrants and criminals roaming the streets of New York City, Kathy Hochul has completely and utterly failed the people of New York time and again — and in 2026, she'll lose her job for it."
As Democrats look to defend key House seats in New York, some strategists have suggested that candidates should try to distance themselves from Hochul on the campaign trail.
But state Democratic Party Chair Jay Jacobs played down concerns, saying that although Hochul remains under frequent attack, it shouldn't impact her 2026 reelection bid.
The surveys were conducted on Aug. 5, 12, and 21 among 400 likely voters from each district. The polls have a margin of error of plus or minus 4.9 percentage points.
Kate McManus ✉
Kate McManus is a New Jersey-based Newsmax writer who's spent more than two decades as a journalist.
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