Governor Andrew Cuomo is beginning 2014 with high numbers, according to the latest Siena College poll.Cuomo has regained some lost ground and now is viewed favorably by 66% of New Yorkers. He would also easily defeat two potential GOP opponents, Donald Trump and Westchester County executive Rob Astorino, by almost 50 points, according to Siena pollster Steve Greenberg.
“He’s sitting pretty,” said Greenberg. “His numbers, favorability, job performance, re-elect, are the best they’ve been in about a year.”
The governor has a $33 million campaign war chest at his disposal, should any potential challengers gain traction in the coming months.
The poll also asked New Yorkers about medical marijuana. It found that most would like to see the state go further than an experimental proposal that Governor Cuomo has put forward. But the majority is not ready to see marijuana legalized for recreational use.