May 2, 2018 - Nixon Takes A Bite Out Of Cuomo In New York Gov Race, Quinnipiac University Poll Finds; Cuomo Has Strong Primary, General Election Leads

With almost equal support from men and women, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo tops challenger Cynthia Nixon 50 - 28 percent in a Democratic primary as he seeks a third term, according to a Quinnipiac University Poll released today.





Democratic women back Gov. Cuomo 49 - 24 percent, with 27 percent undecided. Men back the governor 51 - 34 percent, with 15 percent undecided, the independent Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh-pe-ack) University Poll finds.





In a 2-way General Election matchup, Cuomo buries Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro 57 - 26 percent. Cuomo leads 89 - 4 percent among Democrats, 47 - 27 percent among independent voters, 50 - 34 percent among men and 63 - 20 percent among women. Molinaro takes Republicans 72 - 17 percent.





If Nixon is on the November ballot as the Working Families Party candidate, Cuomo's support drops to 40 percent, with 23 percent for Molinaro and 20 percent for Nixon. The governor leads Nixon:

64 - 24 percent among Democrats;

31 - 26 percent among independent voters, with 22 percent for Molinaro;

37 - 18 percent among men, with 30 percent for Molinaro;

43 - 22 percent among women, with 17 percent for Molinaro.

New York City voters shift from 70 - 13 percent for Cuomo over Molinaro in a 2-way race to 50 percent for Cuomo, 22 percent for Nixon and 12 percent for Molinaro in a 3-way race.





"Actress Cynthia Nixon is a nuisance to Gov. Andrew Cuomo as he seeks a third term, but at this stage she is not running strong enough to make either the Democratic Primary or General Election challenge successful," said Peter A. Brown, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Poll. "Only half the electorate knows her. And in a 3-way race that includes Republican Marc Molinaro, Gov. Cuomo does about as well as his two challengers combined."





New York State voters approve 54 - 39 percent of the job Gov. Cuomo is doing, his highest approval rating since a 58 - 32 percent score in a December 22, 2014 Quinnipiac University Poll. Voters give Cuomo a 49 - 41 percent favorability rating.





Molinaro remains largely unknown as 74 percent of voters don't know enough about him to form an opinion of him. For Nixon, 52 percent don't know enough.





Cuomo has strong leadership qualities, voters say 67 - 29 percent. He cares about their needs and problems, voters say 51 - 43 percent. But only 46 percent of voters say he is honest and trustworthy, while 45 percent say he is not.





Voters prefer 60 - 29 percent a governor who has experience in politics rather than someone new to politics.





U.S. Senate Race





Democratic incumbent U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand thumps Republican challenger Chele Farley 58 - 23 percent, leading among all listed party, gender, education, age, racial and regional groups except Republicans. New York State voters approve 59 - 24 percent of the job Sen. Gillibrand is doing, her best score since a 61 - 20 percent approval rating in an August 21, 2014, poll, her highest score ever. Voters give Gillibrand a 52 - 22 percent favorability rating.





For Farley, 83 percent of voters don't know enough about her to form an opinion. Sen. Schumer, President Trump Approval





Voters approve 57 - 35 percent of the job Sen. Charles Schumer is doing.





President Donald Trump gets a negative 31 - 66 percent approval rating, similar to his New York State scores since he was inaugurated. Approval ratings for other officials are:

48 - 22 percent for State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman;

32 - 16 percent for State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli;

Negative 40 - 45 percent for New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio, with a 53 - 43 percent approval among New York City voters.

From April 26 - May 1, Quinnipiac University surveyed 1,076 New York State voters, with a margin of error of +/- 3.7 percentage points, including the design effect. The survey includes 473 Democrats, with a margin of error of +/- 5.7 percentage points, including the design effect. Live interviewers call landlines and cell phones.





The Quinnipiac University Poll, directed by Douglas Schwartz, Ph.D., conducts nationwide public opinion surveys, and statewide polls in Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Florida, Ohio, Virginia, Iowa, Colorado and Texas as a public service and for research.





Visit poll.qu.edu or www.facebook.com/quinnipiacpoll





Call (203) 582-5201, or follow us on Twitter @QuinnipiacPoll.





1. (If Registered Democrat) If the Democratic primary for governor were being held today, and the candidates were Andrew Cuomo and Cynthia Nixon, for whom would you vote?

REGISTERED DEMOCRATS................................. POLITICAL PHILOSOPHY LIBERAL..... Mod/ COLLEGE DEG Tot Very Smwht Cons Men Wom Yes No Cuomo 50% 31% 53% 59% 51% 49% 47% 54% Nixon 28 49 25 20 34 24 32 21 DK/NA 22 20 22 21 15 27 21 24 AGE IN YRS....... AREA............. Non 18-49 50-64 65+ UpStat NYC Sub Wht Wht Cuomo 43% 51% 58% 50% 53% 42% 48% 54% Nixon 34 29 19 27 28 28 29 26 DK/NA 23 19 24 22 19 31 24 19

2. If the election for governor were being held today, and the candidates were Andrew Cuomo the Democrat and Marc Molinaro the Republican, for whom would you vote?

WHITE...... COLLEGE DEG Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes No Cuomo 57% 17% 89% 47% 50% 63% 56% 44% Molinaro 26 72 4 27 34 20 29 39 SMONE ELSE(VOL) 2 1 - 3 2 1 1 3 WLDN'T VOTE(VOL) 3 - 1 6 3 3 2 4 DK/NA 12 9 5 16 11 13 12 10 AGE IN YRS.............. WHITE..... Non 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Men Wom Wht Wht Cuomo 55% 67% 53% 56% 44% 57% 51% 71% Molinaro 16 22 35 31 42 26 33 14 SMONE ELSE(VOL) 2 3 1 1 2 1 2 2 WLDN'T VOTE(VOL) 5 2 3 2 3 3 3 2 DK/NA 23 6 8 10 9 13 11 12 AREA............. UpStat NYC Sub Cuomo 44% 70% 56% Molinaro 41 13 27 SMONE ELSE(VOL) 2 2 1 WLDN'T VOTE(VOL) 1 5 2 DK/NA 12 10 15

3. If the election for governor were being held today, and the candidates were Andrew Cuomo the Democrat, Marc Molinaro the Republican, and Cynthia Nixon the Working Families Party candidate, for whom would you vote?

WHITE...... COLLEGE DEG Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes No Cuomo 40% 14% 64% 31% 37% 43% 39% 35% Molinaro 23 74 1 22 30 17 26 36 Nixon 20 5 24 26 18 22 18 15 SMONE ELSE(VOL) - - - - - - - - WLDN'T VOTE(VOL) 1 1 - 2 2 - 1 2 DK/NA 15 7 11 18 13 17 16 13 AGE IN YRS.............. WHITE..... Non 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Men Wom Wht Wht Cuomo 38% 39% 39% 45% 33% 42% 37% 47% Molinaro 16 13 31 30 38 23 30 10 Nixon 26 30 17 11 14 19 17 26 SMONE ELSE(VOL) - - - 1 - - - - WLDN'T VOTE(VOL) 2 1 1 1 2 - 1 1 DK/NA 19 16 11 13 12 16 14 15 AREA............. UpStat NYC Sub Cuomo 33% 50% 36% Molinaro 35 12 25 Nixon 17 22 23 SMONE ELSE(VOL) - - - WLDN'T VOTE(VOL) 1 2 - DK/NA 15 14 16

4. Is your opinion of Andrew Cuomo favorable, unfavorable or haven't you heard enough about him?

WHITE...... COLLEGE DEG Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes No Favorable 49% 22% 71% 42% 44% 55% 47% 38% Unfavorable 41 72 21 45 47 35 45 53 Hvn't hrd enough 7 4 5 11 7 7 5 6 REFUSED 3 1 3 2 2 3 3 3 AGE IN YRS.............. WHITE..... Non 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Men Wom Wht Wht Favorable 44% 54% 45% 53% 36% 50% 43% 61% Unfavorable 30 40 51 40 57 40 48 26 Hvn't hrd enough 24 3 2 4 4 7 5 11 REFUSED 2 2 2 4 3 3 3 2 AREA............. UpStat NYC Sub Favorable 38% 62% 46% Unfavorable 55 27 42 Hvn't hrd enough 5 8 9 REFUSED 2 3 3

5. Is your opinion of Marc Molinaro favorable, unfavorable or haven't you heard enough about him?

WHITE...... COLLEGE DEG Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes No Favorable 13% 36% 3% 13% 18% 8% 15% 19% Unfavorable 13 1 24 8 14 11 15 8 Hvn't hrd enough 74 62 72 79 68 79 70 72 REFUSED 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 AGE IN YRS.............. WHITE..... Non 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Men Wom Wht Wht Favorable 8% 9% 14% 19% 22% 11% 16% 6% Unfavorable 12 17 12 9 13 11 12 14 Hvn't hrd enough 79 74 73 70 65 76 71 79 REFUSED 1 - 1 2 1 2 1 - AREA............. UpStat NYC Sub Favorable 21% 5% 12% Unfavorable 11 16 11 Hvn't hrd enough 67 79 77 REFUSED 1 - 1

6. Is your opinion of Cynthia Nixon favorable, unfavorable or haven't you heard enough about her?

WHITE...... COLLEGE DEG Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes No Favorable 26% 11% 35% 26% 28% 24% 31% 16% Unfavorable 21 37 15 19 23 19 27 24 Hvn't hrd enough 52 51 48 54 48 56 40 58 REFUSED 1 2 2 1 1 2 2 2 AGE IN YRS.............. WHITE..... Non 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Men Wom Wht Wht Favorable 25% 33% 29% 18% 24% 25% 25% 27% Unfavorable 12 19 26 24 29 23 26 12 Hvn't hrd enough 62 46 44 55 45 50 48 60 REFUSED - 1 2 2 2 2 2 - AREA............. UpStat NYC Sub Favorable 22% 29% 25% Unfavorable 18 23 22 Hvn't hrd enough 58 48 52 REFUSED 2 1 1

7. If the election for United States Senator were being held today, and the candidates were Kirsten Gillibrand the Democrat and Chele Farley the Republican, for whom would you vote?

WHITE...... COLLEGE DEG Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes No Gillibrand 58% 12% 85% 56% 50% 65% 65% 49% Farley 23 72 2 21 31 15 26 32 SMONE ELSE(VOL) 1 - 1 - 1 - - - WLDN'T VOTE(VOL) 3 1 3 3 3 3 1 4 DK/NA 16 15 9 20 15 17 8 15 AGE IN YRS.............. WHITE..... Non 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Men Wom Wht Wht Gillibrand 52% 63% 57% 61% 51% 64% 58% 59% Farley 16 18 29 27 37 22 29 11 SMONE ELSE(VOL) 1 - 1 1 - - - 1 WLDN'T VOTE(VOL) 4 2 3 1 2 2 2 3 DK/NA 27 18 10 10 10 12 11 25 AREA............. UpStat NYC Sub Gillibrand 53% 63% 56% Farley 31 13 28 SMONE ELSE(VOL) - 1 1 WLDN'T VOTE(VOL) 1 5 2 DK/NA 16 19 13

8. Is your opinion of Kirsten Gillibrand favorable, unfavorable or haven't you heard enough about her?

WHITE...... COLLEGE DEG Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes No Favorable 52% 18% 76% 49% 48% 56% 63% 46% Unfavorable 22 53 6 22 28 18 24 28 Hvn't hrd enough 24 28 17 26 23 24 12 24 REFUSED 2 1 1 2 1 2 1 2 AGE IN YRS.............. WHITE..... Non 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Men Wom Wht Wht Favorable 45% 52% 56% 56% 51% 60% 56% 47% Unfavorable 9 18 29 30 31 20 25 16 Hvn't hrd enough 46 27 13 13 17 18 17 36 REFUSED 1 3 2 2 1 2 1 2 AREA............. UpStat NYC Sub Favorable 52% 54% 48% Unfavorable 30 16 23 Hvn't hrd enough 17 28 28 REFUSED 1 2 1

9. Is your opinion of Chele Farley favorable, unfavorable or haven't you heard enough about her?

WHITE...... COLLEGE DEG Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes No Favorable 8% 21% 1% 9% 11% 5% 9% 9% Unfavorable 9 2 15 6 9 9 12 4 Hvn't hrd enough 83 77 83 85 79 86 79 86 REFUSED 1 - 1 1 1 1 - 1 AGE IN YRS.............. WHITE..... Non 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Men Wom Wht Wht Favorable 7% 5% 10% 8% 12% 6% 9% 5% Unfavorable 8 12 8 8 7 9 8 10 Hvn't hrd enough 84 83 82 83 80 84 82 84 REFUSED 1 - - 2 1 1 1 - AREA............. UpStat NYC Sub Favorable 9% 4% 12% Unfavorable 6 13 7 Hvn't hrd enough 84 84 80 REFUSED 1 - 1

10. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Andrew Cuomo is handling his job as governor?

WHITE...... COLLEGE DEG Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes No Approve 54% 29% 73% 50% 50% 58% 49% 47% Disapprove 39 68 19 45 45 33 45 48 DK/NA 7 3 7 5 5 8 6 5 AGE IN YRS.............. WHITE..... Non 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Men Wom Wht Wht Approve 63% 59% 47% 50% 42% 53% 48% 67% Disapprove 28 35 50 42 54 40 47 24 DK/NA 9 6 4 7 4 7 5 9 AREA............. UpStat NYC Sub Approve 43% 63% 56% Disapprove 51 28 39 DK/NA 6 9 5

11. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Charles Schumer is handling his job as United States Senator?

WHITE...... COLLEGE DEG Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes No Approve 57% 25% 80% 51% 52% 61% 61% 44% Disapprove 35 72 11 39 43 28 32 49 DK/NA 8 3 8 10 5 11 7 6 AGE IN YRS.............. WHITE..... Non 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Men Wom Wht Wht Approve 51% 61% 54% 58% 48% 59% 54% 63% Disapprove 32 29 41 37 49 31 40 25 DK/NA 16 9 4 5 3 10 6 12 AREA............. UpStat NYC Sub Approve 51% 69% 45% Disapprove 43 23 44 DK/NA 7 8 11

12. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Kirsten Gillibrand is handling her job as United States Senator?

WHITE...... COLLEGE DEG Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes No Approve 59% 28% 81% 56% 53% 64% 67% 51% Disapprove 24 54 8 24 31 18 24 30 DK/NA 17 18 11 20 16 18 9 19 AGE IN YRS.............. WHITE..... Non 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Men Wom Wht Wht Approve 57% 63% 57% 59% 54% 65% 60% 58% Disapprove 15 22 31 27 34 21 27 19 DK/NA 28 15 12 14 12 14 13 24 AREA............. UpStat NYC Sub Approve 55% 63% 57% Disapprove 31 18 26 DK/NA 15 19 18

13. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Donald Trump is handling his job as president?

WHITE...... COLLEGE DEG Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes No Approve 31% 85% 6% 29% 39% 23% 31% 43% Disapprove 66 14 92 67 57 73 66 55 DK/NA 4 1 3 4 3 4 3 2 AGE IN YRS.............. WHITE..... Non 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Men Wom Wht Wht Approve 28% 23% 36% 35% 43% 31% 37% 19% Disapprove 68 72 62 62 55 66 61 76 DK/NA 5 4 2 3 2 3 3 5 AREA............. UpStat NYC Sub Approve 39% 21% 35% Disapprove 58 74 63 DK/NA 3 5 2

14. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Thomas DiNapoli is handling his job as state comptroller?

WHITE...... COLLEGE DEG Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes No Approve 32% 38% 32% 31% 37% 28% 34% 36% Disapprove 16 12 18 17 17 15 14 12 DK/NA 52 50 50 52 46 56 52 52 AGE IN YRS.............. WHITE..... Non 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Men Wom Wht Wht Approve 29% 28% 34% 36% 38% 31% 35% 27% Disapprove 16 24 15 11 13 13 13 21 DK/NA 55 48 51 53 48 56 52 51 AREA............. UpStat NYC Sub Approve 41% 26% 30% Disapprove 14 17 19 DK/NA 45 58 51

15. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Eric Schneiderman is handling his job as state attorney general?

WHITE...... COLLEGE DEG Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes No Approve 48% 34% 61% 44% 51% 45% 56% 42% Disapprove 22 36 13 23 26 18 17 24 DK/NA 30 30 26 33 23 37 27 34 AGE IN YRS.............. WHITE..... Non 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Men Wom Wht Wht Approve 42% 48% 48% 52% 53% 47% 50% 44% Disapprove 19 24 27 20 26 14 20 25 DK/NA 39 28 26 28 21 38 30 31 AREA............. UpStat NYC Sub Approve 46% 52% 43% Disapprove 24 18 24 DK/NA 29 30 32

16. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Bill de Blasio is handling his job as mayor of New York City?

WHITE...... COLLEGE DEG Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes No Approve 40% 14% 61% 32% 36% 42% 36% 26% Disapprove 45 75 24 49 50 41 48 52 DK/NA 15 11 14 19 14 17 16 22 AGE IN YRS.............. WHITE..... Non 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Men Wom Wht Wht Approve 46% 42% 37% 34% 27% 36% 31% 55% Disapprove 42 46 47 46 55 45 50 36 DK/NA 11 12 16 20 18 19 19 9 AREA............. UpStat NYC Sub Approve 28% 53% 35% Disapprove 42 43 54 DK/NA 30 4 11

17. Would you say that Andrew Cuomo has strong leadership qualities or not?

WHITE...... COLLEGE DEG Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes No Yes 67% 45% 84% 63% 62% 72% 70% 57% No 29 53 15 30 34 25 29 38 DK/NA 4 2 2 7 4 3 1 6 AGE IN YRS.............. WHITE..... Non 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Men Wom Wht Wht Yes 68% 76% 62% 64% 60% 68% 64% 74% No 23 23 37 33 37 29 33 21 DK/NA 10 1 2 3 3 3 3 5 AREA............. UpStat NYC Sub Yes 58% 76% 66% No 38 21 29 DK/NA 3 3 5

18. Would you say that Andrew Cuomo is honest and trustworthy or not?

WHITE...... COLLEGE DEG Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes No Yes 46% 27% 63% 38% 42% 49% 43% 40% No 45 69 28 50 50 40 50 55 DK/NA 10 4 9 13 8 11 7 5 AGE IN YRS.............. WHITE..... Non 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Men Wom Wht Wht Yes 46% 45% 43% 50% 36% 47% 42% 54% No 42 45 51 42 60 46 52 30 DK/NA 12 10 7 8 4 8 6 16 AREA............. UpStat NYC Sub Yes 36% 55% 44% No 56 33 47 DK/NA 7 12 9

19. Would you say that Andrew Cuomo cares about the needs and problems of people like you or not?

WHITE...... COLLEGE DEG Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes No Yes 51% 29% 69% 45% 48% 55% 52% 46% No 43 69 26 46 48 38 44 49 DK/NA 6 2 5 9 4 8 3 5 AGE IN YRS.............. WHITE..... Non 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Men Wom Wht Wht Yes 55% 54% 46% 53% 44% 54% 49% 56% No 35 43 52 40 52 41 47 35 DK/NA 10 4 3 7 3 5 4 9 AREA............. UpStat NYC Sub Yes 43% 57% 55% No 52 35 42 DK/NA 6 8 3

20. In general, how satisfied are you with the way things are going in New York State today; are you very satisfied, somewhat satisfied, somewhat dissatisfied, or very dissatisfied?

WHITE...... COLLEGE DEG Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes No Very satisfied 6% 4% 9% 4% 4% 7% 7% 4% Smwht satisfied 45 26 60 41 45 44 47 41 Smwht dissatisfied 26 22 23 31 25 28 26 23 Very dissatisfied 22 47 8 23 25 20 19 31 DK/NA 1 1 - 1 - 1 - 1 AGE IN YRS.............. WHITE..... Non 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Men Wom Wht Wht Very satisfied 5% 7% 4% 5% 5% 7% 6% 6% Smwht satisfied 55 42 39 47 43 46 44 47 Smwht dissatisfied 28 31 27 20 23 26 25 28 Very dissatisfied 11 21 29 27 29 20 24 19 DK/NA 1 - 1 2 - 1 1 - AREA............. UpStat NYC Sub Very satisfied 4% 7% 6% Smwht satisfied 39 50 44 Smwht dissatisfied 25 29 24 Very dissatisfied 31 13 24 DK/NA - 1 1

21. Would you prefer to elect a governor who has experience in politics, or is new to politics?