A new poll shows voters have mixed opinions about New York Governor Andrew Cuomo.
The Siena College survey finds New Yorkers think Cuomo has made the state a better place in the nine years since he was elected governor. They give him high points for accomplishments like protecting the rights of New Yorkers, ensuring accessibility to health care and a quality education, and effectively managing state government. But his job performance rating, at 36%, is the lowest it’s ever been and his favorability ratings, at 43%, match a previous low point, back in February of this year, says Siena spokesman Steve Greenberg.
“It’s good news and bad news for the governor,” said Greenberg. “It’s a little yin and yang.”
Greenberg says the numbers could possibly be attributed to voter fatigue with a governor who is serving a third term in an era where news cycles move very quickly. The poll finds the popularity of the state legislature is higher than in previous years, with 45% viewing the Senate favorably, and 43% having a positive view of the Assembly. Most voters agree with almost all of the major items approved by the state legislature in the recently concluded session.
Voters approve of many of the items passed by the state legislature in 2019, including 84% for ending a religious exemption for vaccinations, 73% backing action to combat climate change, and 65% supporting the ban on single-use plastic bags.
The only measure approved in 2019 that is unpopular with voters is a new law to allow undocumented immigrants to apply for drivers licenses, with only 43% overall supporting the law.
Some other New York politicians fared even more poorly than Cuomo. U.S. Senator Kristen Gillibrand, who is seeking the Democratic nomination for president, is viewed favorably by just 41% of the electorate. And New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio, who is also running for President, is viewed in a positive light by just 26% of all voters statewide, and by just 38% of Democrats. Greenberg says the mayor’s numbers are lower than those of President Donald Trump, who has been consistently unpopular in New York, and is viewed favorably by 35% of those surveyed.
U.S. Senator and Democratic Minority Leader Chuck Schumer remains the most popular politician in New York, with a 53% approval rating.
