53%: Hochul's Lead Over Blakeman in Marist Governor Poll

Fifty-three percent. That is the share of voters who back Gov. Kathy Hochul in a new Marist Poll, leaving her with an 11-point advantage over Republican challenger Bruce Blakeman. The survey places Blakeman at 42% as Election Day approaches.

The race has tightened in recent months, but the incumbent maintains a double-digit lead. Blakeman, the Nassau County executive, publicly questioned the methodology. He stated that the poll undersampled Republicans and claimed the actual margin is narrower than the data indicates.

Campaign activity intensified on Monday. Hochul visited Midtown, where she stood with members of the Hotel and Gaming Trades Council. She cited strong early voting turnout as a favorable indicator for the Democratic ticket. Blakeman focused his day on the Upper East Side. He continued to attack congestion pricing, a policy he promised to repeal if he wins the governorship.

Both candidates are working to energize their bases in the final days before Tuesday. The contest is one of the most watched on the New York ballot. Hochul is scheduled to sign legislation regulating chatbots for children on Tuesday morning. Blakeman is expected to hold further campaign appearances later that day.