Hochul Holds 53% Lead in Final Poll

Gov. Kathy Hochul holds a 53% lead over Republican challenger Bruce Blakeman in the final days before Election Day, according to a new Marist Poll. The survey shows the incumbent maintaining an 11-point advantage in the contest for the top executive office in New York.

Blakeman, the current Nassau County executive, has publicly challenged the results. He stated that the poll undersampled Republican voters and argued the actual race is closer than the data indicates. The challenger has positioned his campaign around specific policy reversals, most notably his pledge to repeal congestion pricing if he wins the governorship.

Campaign activities intensified on Monday as both candidates targeted different voter bases in New York City. Hochul campaigned in Midtown with members of the Hotel and Gaming Trades Council. She cited strong early voting turnout as a positive indicator for the Democratic ticket heading into Tuesday.

Blakeman focused his Monday efforts on the Upper East Side, where he reiterated his criticism of the state's toll policy. Both campaigns are currently in their final stretch, working to energize supporters ahead of the Tuesday vote.

The governor's race stands as one of the most prominent contests on the New York ballot. Hochul is scheduled to sign legislation regulating chatbots for children on Tuesday morning. Blakeman is also expected to make campaign appearances later in the day.