A liberal third-party candidate would hinder Gov. Andrew Cuomo”™s re-election chances, according to the most recent Siena College poll.
The poll results, released Tuesday, showed Cuomo, a Democrat, still led Republican candidate Rob Astorino in a head-to-head match, 58 percent to 28 percent. But Cuomo’s lead dropped 15 percentage points with a Working Families Party candidate perceived to be more left-leaning than the governor added to the race. In that scenario, Cuomo still led with 39 percent, but Astorino and the hypothetical Working Families nominee each took 24 percent.
Siena College pollster Steven Greenberg said more than 30 percent of Democrats, liberals, union households, and New York City and black voters would back the more liberal-leaning candidate.
“It”™s been 24 years since a minor party candidate grabbed 20 percent of the gubernatorial vote; however, clearly, facing opponents from both sides of the political spectrum would create a challenge for Cuomo,” Greenberg said.
Although the pro-union Working Families Party often backs Democrats in elections, its members have clashed with Cuomo on several issues including public campaign financing his support of charter schools. The party hasn”™t announced formally that it won”™t support Cuomo, but the possibility looms large for the incumbent who 46 percent of those polled by Siena describe as “moderate.”
Astorino, who is currently Westchester”™s county executive, still faces an uphill battle against Cuomo despite the possibility of a third candidate. According to the poll, Astorino has made progress but still has ground to make up in terms of name recognition outside of the Westchester area. Sixty-six percent of those polled said they don”™t know or don”™t have an opinion of Astorino, down from 76 percent in January.
Cuomo”™s favorability rating continues to trend downward but is still strong, with a 57 percent “favorable” rating and 38 percent “unfavorable” rating. His job ratings remain strong and 63 percent said he has been an effective governor. Fifty percent said they were prepared to re-elect Cuomo, while 41 percent said they prefer someone else.
