Despite a recent uptick in approval and favorability ratings, New York Governor Kathy Hochul faces a challenging road to re-election in 2026. A recent Siena College poll reveals that a majority of New York voters would prefer a different candidate for governor in the upcoming election.

The poll, conducted in early December, indicates that only 33% of registered voters would support Hochul for a second term, while 57% expressed a desire for someone else to lead the state. This sentiment is prevalent across party lines, with only 48% of Democrats, 35% of independents, and 15% of Republicans favoring Hochul's re-election.

Hochul, who assumed the governorship in 2021 following Andrew Cuomo's resignation, secured a full term in 2022 by narrowly defeating Republican Lee Zeldin. However, her support for the controversial New York City congestion pricing plan seems to be impacting her popularity. The plan, set to commence next month, will impose tolls on vehicles entering Manhattan's central business districts. The Siena poll shows 51% of voters oppose the congestion pricing initiative, including a majority of New York City residents.

While Hochul's favorability and job approval ratings have seen slight improvements in recent months, they remain below 50%. Siena pollster Steven Greenberg acknowledges this positive trend but emphasizes that the governor still faces significant challenges. Despite voters' preference for a Democratic governor overall, the poll suggests a vulnerability for Hochul in the upcoming election.

Democratic Representative Ritchie Torres, who is considering a primary challenge against Hochul, has publicly voiced concerns about her electability, suggesting she risks losing to a Republican in 2026 – a scenario not witnessed in New York for three decades.