A majority of New York voters are concerned about the rise of socialism and candidates running under the Democratic Socialists of America banner, a new poll claims.
The survey conducted by the firm co/efficient for the right-leaning Coalition to Protect Nassau asked: “How concerned are you about the rise of socialism and candidates from the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) Party in New York?”
Among 1,046 likely voters queried, 56% said they were concerned about the surge of socialism in the Empire State — including 44% who said they were “very” concerned, compared to 44% who were not concerned.
A staggering 85% of Republicans said they were concerned, including 77% who said they were very worried.
But 62% of Democrats said they were not concerned about creeping socialism, while 38% said they were.
Meanwhile, 58% of voters not registered with a major party said they were worried about growing socialism, including 44% who were very concerned, with the remaining 42% saying they were not concerned or not concerned “at all.”
As for the governor’s race, the poll shows Democratic incumbent Gov. Kathy Hochul leading Republican opponent Bruce Blakeman 48% to 41%, with 11% undecided.
Hochul’s lead increased by one point from the group’s prior poll taken in July, when Hochul led 47% to 41%.
The firm accurately predicted in 2022 that the race between Hochul and then-Long Island Republican Rep. Lee Zeldin would be closer than public polling anticipated.
She won by 6 percentage points — the same spread the coalition had between the candidates in its September 2022 polling.
Two recent independent polls showed Hochul leading Blakeman by 9 points (Siena University 50% to 41%) or 19 points (Quinnipiac College 58% to 39%).
Despite her lead in the race, only 36% of likely voters in the Nassau County Taxpayers poll have a favorable view of Hochul who is seeking a second term, while 46% have an unfavorable view and 18% were undecided.
In comparison, 33% viewed Blakeman favorably, 35% unfavorably while 33% were unsure or had never heard of him.
Voters are not happy with conditions in New York — 52% said it is moving in the wrong direction, 27% in the right direction and the remainder not expressing an opinion.
Cost of living and inflation, taxes and spending were the top concerns of voters.
While voters were worried about the socialist movement, the face of democratic socialism in New York City, Mayor Zohran Mamdani, scored better than Hochul and President Trump in the poll.
Among voters statewide, 44% approved of Mamdani’s first year job performance so far, while 43% disapproved and the remaining 13% were on the fence.
Only 32% of voters approved of Trump’s job performance, while 60% disapproved.
The co/efficient poll conducted Nassau Coalition to Protect Taxpayers questioned 1,046 likely voters from Sept. 23-25 via mobile text and cell and landline interviews. The results have a margin of error of plus or minus 3 percentage points.
