Blakeman and Hochul Closed Gubernatorial Polling Gap
New polling indicates a tightening race for the New York gubernatorial seat ahead of the upcoming debate.
Updated on Sept. 23, 2026 in Elections
Live Poll
Does a candidate's alignment with a national political figure make you more likely to vote for them?
A recent Siena Poll shows gubernatorial candidates Bruce Blakeman and Kathy Hochul closing their support gap among likely voters. Hochul maintains 50 percent support, while Blakeman follows at 41 percent.
Why it matters
The race highlights voter concerns over high energy costs and public safety, while candidates clash on the influence of national figures like Donald Trump in state politics.
A Siena Poll found 51 percent of respondents view the endorsement of Bruce Blakeman by the President of the United States negatively, while 63 percent of New Yorkers oppose new data centers. New York electricity currently costs $29.90 per kilowatt hour, which is 70 percent higher than the national average.
The players
Bruce Blakeman
He is a candidate for Governor of New York who has campaigned on high energy prices and public safety concerns.
Kathy Hochul
She is the current Governor of New York seeking re-election and campaigning on issues regarding immigration.
Donald Trump
He is the current President of the United States whose endorsement of Bruce Blakeman is a factor in polling.
Letitia James
She is a candidate for state office currently leading her opponent in polling by 13 points.
Saritha Komatireddy
She is a candidate for state office currently trailing Letitia James in polling.
The details
Bruce Blakeman campaigned on high energy prices and public safety, while Kathy Hochul focused her campaign on opposition to the President of the United States regarding immigration. The candidates are scheduled to participate in a three-hour televised debate in Manhattan to address these platform differences.
Timeline
October 1, 2026: State comptroller candidates are scheduled to debate.
October 8, 2026: Letitia James and Saritha Komatireddy are scheduled to debate.
October 13, 2026: Bruce Blakeman and Kathy Hochul will hold a three-hour debate in Manhattan.
Political Context
The polling data regarding data centers highlights how environmental and infrastructure regulations impact the current New York political landscape. This data aligns with the public discourse surrounding New York's temporary moratorium on new data centers.
Voters face significant financial pressure from electricity costs that are 70 percent higher than the national average. Election outcomes may determine future state policy regarding energy prices and the approval of new infrastructure projects like data centers.
The takeaway
Voters should monitor the upcoming debates to see how candidates address the high cost of electricity and infrastructure development in the state. Tracking shifts in independent voter support will be critical to understanding the direction of the election.
What happens next
The gubernatorial candidates will meet for a televised debate on October 13, 2026, broadcast on NY1 Spectrum News and YouTube.
Further reading
Find more updates on the state race on our New York Elections page.
Live Poll
Does a candidate's alignment with a national political figure make you more likely to vote for them?
