(Headline USA) Republican gubernatorial candidate Lee Zeldin is trailing Democratic New York Gov. Kathy Hochul by just 4 percentage points, according to a recent poll.
The survey, conducted by the Trafalgar Group, found Hochul won 47.8% of likely general election voters’ support, while Zeldin came in at 43.4%.
This shows the race has narrowed significantly over the past several weeks.
The last poll released on Aug. 23, for example, found Hochul won an overwhelming 55% support, while Zeldin won only 31%.
Trafalgar Group pollster Robert Cahaly said he knows the results are “surprising,” but argued middle and working class voters are “enraged” and turning against Democrats like Hochul.
Folks I know the GA, WA, & NY #poll numbers are surprising but we at @Trafalgar_Group have seen a big shift in favor of non incumbents since #Biden announced his #studentloanforgiveness package. No other issue this cycle has enraged middle and working class voters more than this
— Robert C. Cahaly (@RobertCahaly) September 3, 2022
Zeldin praised the poll’s results and said it’s obvious New Yorkers want new leadership.
“People are fed up with Hochul’s feckless leadership,” he said in a statement. “This poll underscores our unprecedented momentum.”
Hochul has tried to stay out of the spotlight in recent days as she drops in the poll.
This weekend, for example, she refused to take questions from the media even though every other elected official there, including New York City Mayor Eric Adams, did.
Rep. Zeldin greets parade goers in Brooklyn as #westindiandayparade proceeds along Eastern Parkway. #nyc pic.twitter.com/Gn0qdNQWhZ
— Ben Von Klemperer (@BVKImages) September 5, 2022
She has also declined every request from Zeldin’s campaign to participate in a debate.
