ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10)–While Congresswoman Elise Stefanik has not officially announced a gubernatorial run next year, signs continue to point in that direction with a New GrayHouse poll sent out by her office.
The poll, with a 2.6% margin of error, found current Governor Kathy Hochul has only a 5-point lead over Stefanik.
It also found a majority, 59% of voters, think it’s time for someone new to be governor. According to a memo from Landon Wall, founder of GrayHouse, Stefanik has a slight lead 46.4% over Hochul’s 45.9%, when “voters hear both candidates records” if the 2026 election were held today.
Of the 1,250 people polled in the GrayHouse poll, 605 were Democrats, 333 were Republicans, and 312 were unaffiliated/other.
In a statement, Stefanik said, “The data is clear, Kathy Hochul, the Worst Governor in America, is a deeply embattled and historically unpopular failed Governor who is struggling to even gain support from her own party.”
In response to the GrayHouse poll, Hochul’s Campaign stated, “Sellout Elise Stefanik’s been in DC so long she’s lost touch with New York— and with reality. “
This new poll significantly differs from a Siena Research Poll that was conducted a few weeks ago. That poll found Hochul ahead of Stefanik by 25 points. Siena pollster, Steve Greenberg, broke down the numbers from mid-September.
“52% of New Yorkers say they will be with Hochul, about 27% of voters say they will be with Stefanik. So, a 25 point lead— sort of constant with what we have seen over the last several gubernatorial cycles with the exception of 3 years ago when Governor Hochul beat former congressman, now EPA administrator, Lee Zeldin only by 6 points,” explained Greenberg.
The Siena Poll surveyed 802 voters and has a 4.2% margin of error. Greenberg notes a poll is just a snapshot in time and there are many types of polls.
“There’s all kinds of pollsters.” said Greenberg. There are partisan pollsters— there are pollsters who do work for Democratic candidates or Republican candidates.”
We reached out to GrayHouse and Stefanik’s Office but have not received a copy of the poll.
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