Poll: Harris leads Trump by 13 points statewide; equal rights amendment backed 3-1

ALBANY — Democrat Kamala Harris continues to lead Republican Donald Trump by 13 points in New York, with the race virtually unchanged here since Harris became her party's nominee last month, according to a Siena College poll released Thursday.

The Siena survey also found that U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand commands a generous lead in her reelection bid, a proposed Equal Rights Amendment, which covers abortion rights, enjoys overwhelming support and Gov. Kathy Hochul’s popularity continues to slip.

The poll of 1,003 likely voters in New York said Vice President Harris is favored by 55% of those surveyed while former President Trump is favored by 42%. That is essentially unchanged from the 14-point lead Harris held in August, when she replaced President Joe Biden atop the Democratic ticket.

The poll was conducted Sept. 11-16 and has a margin of error of plus or minus 4.3 percentage points, meaning the answers to any question can vary by that amount.

Siena said Harris gained ground since last month with Hispanic voters, going from dead even to leading 56% to 39%. However, Trump widened his lead among voters not enrolled in any party, going from a 7-point advantage to 24.

Suburban voters, defined by Siena as covering Long Island and the lower Hudson Valley, remain split, just as in August: Trump leads 48%-47%.

Voters told Siena they trust Harris more on the economy, abortion and democracy. They were split on immigration.

While Harris’ lead in the state isn’t threatened, it isn’t as big as posted by previous Democratic presidential candidates, Siena poll spokesman Steve Greenberg said.

"New York remains solidly blue, but perhaps not as deep blue as it has been in the last several presidential cycles," Greenberg said in a statement. "In the six presidential elections this century, Democrats have carried New York by at least 18 points, and at least 22 points in five of the six. President Biden won here by 23 points in 2020."

In other results, Gillibrand, in office since 2009, has a comfortable lead over Republican challenger Mike Sapraicone, 54% to 31%. The margin is unchanged from August.

By a 64%-23% mark, voters said they support the proposed Equal Rights Amendment. Democrats said it would enshrine abortion rights and LGBT protections in the state constitution. Republicans have said it is unnecessary and could allow transgender females to compete in women’s athletics.

Hochul’s ratings continue to slide, this time hitting an all-time low 34% favorability rating (54% unfavorable) by voters. That puts the Democratic governor lower than even Trump in New York.

By Yancey Roy

yancey.roy@newsday.com@yanceyroy