CNN poll: Hochul leads Blakeman by 12 in New A, but the toll divides the state almost evenly

Governor Kathy Hochul leads Republican Bruce Blakeman 52 percent to 40 among likely voters in New A, according to a new CNN poll — a lead that has held since the summer, in a midterm year that usually punishes the President’s party, which is Blakeman’s.

The Congestion Relief Zone toll is the race’s dividing line. Fifty-one percent of likely voters want to keep it and 46 percent want it ended. Among independents the split reverses, 52 to 44 for ending it — the one group where Blakeman’s day-one repeal promise is clearly winning.

Hochul is more trusted on the Metro (58 to 34) and on the economy (50 to 43). Blakeman leads on taxes (49 to 43) and public safety (48 to 45), the two issues his campaign has hammered in advertising on New A 1 and PIX 11 Long Island since Labor Day.

Geography matters. The Governor’s margin rests on Man A, New BK and The BX; Blakeman leads on Long Island and in New S, where enthusiasm is higher. “The question is turnout,” one Democratic strategist said. “Long Island votes like it means it.”

The CNN poll of 1,060 likely voters was conducted September 26 to 30 and has a margin of error of ±3.4 points. CNN’s forecast and race rating for New A are on the Elections page.

New A is a virtual city. Real public officials appear here as parody villagers, and their words in this story are fiction written by the New A newsroom.