RESEARCH 2000 POLL HAS GILLIBRAND AHEAD OF FORD 41-27%…CUOMO BEATING PATERSON 63-19%…AG HAS 8 POINT LEAD OVER GOV AMONG AFRICAN-AMERICANS

by Adama Brown

(First published on our sister site: www.rochesterpolitics.com)

A Research 2000 poll commissioned by Daily Kos shows incumbent Senator Kirsten Gillibrand beating presumed conservative primary challenger Harold Ford Jr. by a three to two margin.

The poll, conducted January 18 through January 20, showed Gillibrand holding a 41 to 27 point lead over Ford, with Jonathon Tasini at 3, at 29% undecided. Gillibrand beat Ford in all demographics, age groups, and regional breakdowns. 

46% of those surveyed say they approve of Gillibrand, 26% disapprove, and 28% are unsure or have no opinion. 

In other statewide news, Governor Paterson has recovered his personal favorable numbers slightly, rising to a 34% favorable and 54% unfavorable rating. However, this rise has not improved his chances in a primary matchup against current Attorney General Andrew Cuomo, in which Cuomo bests Paterson 63 to 19, with 18% undecided. In such a contest Cuomo wins all demographic groups, including an 8 point lead over Paterson among black voters. 

Though Cuomo is strongly supported in New York City, with 72% of NYC voters choosing him over Paterson, the number of undecided voters rises sharply to 26% in the suburbs, and 35% upstate. However this is not particularly good news for Paterson, as he fares even worse in these areas than in the city itself. 

Cuomo remains the most popular statewide official in New York, with a favorable rating of 71% and unfavorability of 15%.