Siena Research Institute

Siena College, Loudonville, NY

For Immediate Release: Wednesday, January 14, 2004

The Siena New York Poll for December: Approval Ratings: New York State Officials

Pataki Approval Down 1 Point to 46%

Legislature Down 4 Points to 35%

AG Spitzer remains at 57%; Comptroller Hevesi down 3 points to 38%

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Loudonville, NY –Governor Pataki’s approval rating went down 1 point in December to 46%, and the State Legislature went down 4 points to 35%, according to the most recent Siena New York Poll from Siena (College) Research Institute (SRI). 

The Governor’s approval decreased most among lower income New Yorkers (down 7 points to 43%) and Republicans (down 5 points to 55%).  His only increases were in New York City (up 1 point to 45%) and among women (up 2 points to 47%) and Independents and Other party members (up 1 point to 47%).

The Governor’s highest approval rating is among Republicans, at 55%; his lowest is among Democrats, at 39%.   His overall disapproval rating increased 1 point to 39%.

The New York State Legislature’s only increase was among Independents and Other party members - up 6 points to 35%. Its greatest drops in approval were among Republicans (down 12 points to 32%); Democrats (down 8 points to 36%); and men (down 8 points to 31%).

The Legislature’s highest approval rating is 38% in New York City and among women and younger New Yorkers; its lowest is 28% among older New Yorkers. The Legislature’s disapproval went up 5 points to 40%.

Attorney General Eliot Spitzer’s approval remained at 57%, and his disapproval remained at 12%. His “Don’t Know/No Opinion” responses decreased 1 point to 31%.  Comptroller Alan Hevesi’s approval went down 3 points to 38% and his disapproval remained at 13%.  His “Don’t Know/No Opinion” responses increased 3 points to 49%. 

 “At 46% approval, Governor Pataki is 15 points below his 61% approval of a year ago, but a point above his average for the year,” notes Joe Caruso, Director of Polling for the Siena Research Institute (SRI). “He reached his highest approval just after 9/11 - 80% in October 2001 – and hit his lowest – 34% - this past June. The Legislature’s 35% approval is 5 points below its approval of a year ago, and just below its approval average for year. The Legislature continues to rate a disapproval that is higher than its approval.”

For more information on New York State Elected Officials approval ratings and a recap of recently released ratings for the President, Congress, and New York’s U.S. senators, please visit the SRI website at www.siena.edu/sri/surveys.asp. This SRI survey was conducted during the month of December 2003 by random telephone calls to 624 New York State. Residents over the age of 18.  It has a margin of error of  + 3.9 percentage points. For more information or comments, please contact SRI Director of Polling Joe Caruso at 518-783-2901.