New York Governor Andrew Cuomo opens his reelection bid with a 62 – 25 percent approval rating and tops Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino, a possible Republican challenger, 56 – 25 percent, according to a new Quinnipiac poll published Tuesday morning. In NYC, the Governor leads his potential Republican challenger by 60 points.

59% of New York State voters believe Cuomo deserves to be reelected. That includes 81 percent of Democrats, 52 percent of independent voters and 40 percent of Republicans. the Governor also enjoys a positive 55/27 favorability rating.

The good news for Republican Astorino is that 84 percent of voters don’t know enough to form an opinion. Among voters who have heard of him, Astorino enjoys a positive favorability among all parties and demographics.

“Gov. Andrew Cuomo has much for which to be thankful. The only thing better than lots of opponents is an unknown opponent. The Democratic governor scores a demographic sweep, except among Republicans,” said Maurice Carroll, director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute.

“At mid-year, Cuomo was coming off a generally unsatisfying legislative session. His news-making plan to make Roe v Wade part of state law and his anti-corruption efforts didn’t go anywhere. Now his job approval as he heads into the election year is healthy and a big majority of New Yorkers think he deserves a second term.”

(Jacob Kornbluh – YWN)