Poll · New York · Field Period: April 2026

New York Governor 2026: Three-Way General Election Survey

First public poll to include Libertarian candidate Larry Sharpe alongside major-party candidates

Status: In Field — April 2026 Conducted by: Pollfinity Research LLC Sample: ~1,500 registered likely voters, NY State Margin of Error: ±2.5 percentage points (95% confidence)

Overview

Pollfinity Research LLC is conducting its inaugural survey: a general election trial-heat poll of the 2026 New York Governor's race. The survey will be the first publicly released poll to test a three-way contest including Libertarian candidate Larry Sharpe alongside Democratic incumbent Kathy Hochul and Republican challenger Bruce Blakeman.

The poll was conducted via SMS-to-web panel using a sample drawn from the L2 national voter file, with responses weighted to match the demographic and geographic composition of registered likely voters in New York State.

Field Period Open

Results Pending Publication

This survey is currently in the field. Topline results, crosstabs, and full methodology documentation will be published upon completion of the field period in April 2026. Subscribe below or follow @Pollfinity on X to be notified when results are released.

Context & Significance

Larry Sharpe, the Libertarian Party's 2018 New York gubernatorial nominee, received 1.7% of the vote in that cycle — the best third-party gubernatorial result in New York in decades. His inclusion in early 2026 polling is notable both as a measure of third-party viability and as a reflection of voter appetite for alternatives to the two-party field.

Bruce Blakeman, currently serving as Nassau County Executive, emerged as the leading Republican challenger in the 2026 cycle. His coalition, concentrated on Long Island and in upstate New York, contrasts sharply with Hochul's strength in New York City and its suburbs.

Incumbent Governor Kathy Hochul, who narrowly won reelection in 2022 against Lee Zeldin by approximately 5.6 points, enters the 2026 cycle without a serious primary challenge but faces persistent questions about her standing in the outer boroughs and upstate regions.

Survey Questions

The survey included the following ballot question and follow-up items:

  1. General election trial heat (three-way, listed above)
  2. Governor job approval (Hochul)
  3. Favorability ratings for each candidate
  4. Most important issues in the 2026 governor's race
  5. Party registration and likely voter screen
  6. Standard demographic items: age, gender, region, education

Full questionnaire available upon request: polls@pollfinity.com

Citation

When citing this survey in news coverage or academic work, please use the following attribution on first reference: "Pollfinity Research LLC, New York Governor 2026 Three-Way General Election Survey, March 2026." On subsequent references: "Pollfinity Research."

Survey Methodology

Conducted by
Pollfinity Research LLC
Field dates
April 2026 (estimated)
Population
Registered likely voters, New York State
Sample size
~1,500
Method
SMS-to-web panel using L2 voter file
Margin of error
±2.5 percentage points at 95% confidence
Weighting
By party registration, region (NYC / Long Island / Upstate), age, and gender
Survey platform
Typeform
This poll was conducted independently by Pollfinity Research LLC and was not paid for or sponsored by any candidate, campaign, or political party.

Press & Data Inquiries

For crosstabs, full questionnaire, or press inquiries, contact:
polls@pollfinity.com

About Pollfinity Research

Pollfinity Research LLC is an independent, non-partisan polling organization based in California. We do not accept funding from campaigns, political parties, or advocacy groups.

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