New York Republicans Target Hochul in 2026 Races as Her 49% Unfavorable Rating Clouds House Battlegrounds
Updated
Updated · POLITICO · Sep 18
New York Republicans Target Hochul in 2026 Races as Her 49% Unfavorable Rating Clouds House Battlegrounds
3 articles · Updated · POLITICO · Sep 18
Summary
Republicans are centering New York campaigns on Gov. Kathy Hochul rather than Mayor Zohran Mamdani, betting her weaker standing will hurt Democrats in swing House districts and boost GOP turnout.
49% of voters view Hochul unfavorably versus 46% favorably in the latest Siena poll, while she still leads Republican Bruce Blakeman by 10 points statewide and runs stronger in New York City than in the suburbs or upstate.
GOP candidates from Long Island to the North Country are already using Hochul in ads and attacks on taxes, crime and Albany, arguing she better embodies statewide Democratic rule than Mamdani does outside the city.
Democrats are split on how closely to align with her: some candidates say she would not help on the trail, while others still rely on the state party infrastructure and field operation she is using to aid down-ballot races.
The fight matters beyond the governor's race because New York's handful of competitive districts could help decide House control, with both parties trying to offset liabilities at the top of the ticket.