Bruce Blakeman tightening gap behind Hochul as voters split on Mamdani’s ‘tax the rich’ demand: poll
ALBANY – Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, Republicans’ likely nominee for governor, is tightening the gap between himself and leading incumbent Kathy Hochul as New Yorkers remain split on whether or not she should heed New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s demands to hike taxes.
According to the newly released Siena University poll, Gov. Hochul leads Blakeman 51% to 31% in a head-to-head matchup, with the remaining 18% undecided.
That’s a six-point improvement for Blakeman, who trailed the Democrat 54% to 28% in the last Siena poll conducted in late January.
The Long Island pol saw notable improvement in the crucial suburbs, inching closer to Hochul in those counties, trailing at just 2%, down from 14% difference in January’s poll.
“What was a 25-point lead in December and a 26-point lead in January is now a 20-point lead, largely due to Republicans coming home to Blakeman,” Siena poll spokesperson Steve Greenberg said.
The poll also shows about half of those surveyed support Mamdani’s calls for Albany to hike income taxes on New York City residents making more than $1 million.
The survey from Siena University shows that 54% of New Yorkers statewide, and 62% of New York City residents back the “Tax the Rich” proposal being trumpeted by Hizzoner, while just 21% oppose.
Another 11% have mixed thoughts and 5% don’t know, according to the poll.
Yet New Yorkers outside the city haven’t yet drunk the democratic socialist’s Kool-Aid when it comes to tax hikes.
Voters in the burbs and upstate had more tepid support for the tax hike — with half of the suburban vote and 48% of the upstate vote in favor, and with 32% and 35% against, respectively.
“As we enter budget month for the state, neither Hochul nor either house of the Legislature has indicated public support for Mamdani’s request to allow New York City to raise personal income taxes on City residents earning at least $1 million,” Greenberg said, adding, “Yet, the public is on Mamdani’s side.”
“While Republicans disagree, voters overall prefer New York City raise income taxes on its millionaires, rather than raise property taxes on all New York City property owners, Mamdani’s stated position,” Greenberg said, noting the more than 70% of support from state Dems.
Overall, 54% of the 805 registered voters, who were surveyed between Feb. 23-26, believe personal income taxes should be increased on the highest earners, and 29% say the state legislature should shoot down the proposal.
Notably, the respondents had to pick between raising taxes on property owners or the state’s higher earners.
The survey showed another month of positive net favorability ratings for Hochul. Siena’s respondents rated her 46% favorable and 42% unfavorable when polled late last month.
It’s the first time Hochul has had three consecutive months of a positive favorability rating since December 2022 to February 2023, fresh off her last reelection campaign.
