Gov. Cuomo is in a commanding position to win re-election this fall with a sky-high job approval rating and more than two-to-one lead over potential Republican challengers, a new poll today reveals.
The Democratic incumbent has a 63 percent approval rating among statewide voters, while only 28 percent disapprove, the Quinnipiac University survey found.
By a 59-31 margin, voters say Cuomo deserves re-election.
Two potential GOP candidates – Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino or business mogul Donald Trump – would face a daunting task as the Republican nominee.
Cuomo leads Astorino, who is likely to run, 58 percent to 24 percent. Most voters don’t know him outside his Westchester base. Cuomo leads The Donald 63-26 percent.
“Celebrity Apprentice” star Trump has name recognition. His problem is that a whopping 60 percent of voters don’t like him; only 27 percent have a favorable impression.
“Take your pick: Gov. Andrew Cuomo and an opponent nobody knows or an an opponent nobody likes. It comes out the same either way,” said pollster Maurice Carroll.
Yet voters give Cuomo mixed grades on some key issues that could provider fodder for an opponent.
Voters are divided 46-45 percent on his handling of the economy and jobs, 45-43 percent on his taxing policy, and 44-39 percent on his gun policy.
Cuomo gets higher grades for his handling of ethics in government and on energy and the environment.
Three-quarters of voters say Cuomo is a strong leader and 62 percent believe he is honest and trustworthy.