Overview
- The Siena University likely‑voter poll, released Wednesday, shows Gov. Kathy Hochul leading Bruce Blakeman 49% to 39%, a narrower margin than earlier registered‑voter surveys.
- A James Dolan‑backed Super PAC has begun a six‑figure to seven‑figure digital ad buy to boost Blakeman and attack Hochul, signaling a surge in outside spending that could shift late turnout.
- Blakeman has stepped up targeted outreach in suburban and East Asian neighborhoods such as Flushing while aligning publicly with President Trump to energize the GOP base.
- A Staten Island judge issued a temporary restraining order pausing the new pied‑à‑terre luxury tax through the end of the month, a policy fight that both campaigns are using to sharpen messages on affordability and taxes.
- Despite the tightening, Hochul retains a major financial edge with about $21 million reported in her campaign account plus party reserves and a roughly 2‑to‑1 Democratic registration advantage that analysts say makes an upset difficult but not impossible.