For Immediate Release: Wednesday, July 7, 2004

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

Pataki Approval Down 5 Points to 44%

Legislature Down 4 Points to 32%

AG Spitzer remains at 58%; Comptroller Hevesi up 3 points to 45%

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Loudonville, NY – Governor Pataki’s overall approval rating went down 5 points in June to 44%, and the State Legislature’s approval went down 4 points to 32%, according to the most recent Siena New York Poll from Siena (College) Research Institute (SRI). 

The Governor’s approval rating:

• Decreased among most demographic groups, most significantly among Republicans - down 12 points to 54%; New Yorkers under age 55 - down 10 points to 43%; women – down 7 points to 42%; outside New York City – down 7 points to 43%; and among higher income households – down 5 points to 44%.
• Increased only among New Yorkers over 55 – up 3 points to 45%, and Independents and “other” party members – up 1 point to 42%.  
• The Governor’s highest approval rating is among Republicans, at 54%; his lowest approval rating, among Democrats, at 40%.

His overall disapproval rating increased 2 points to 39%.

The New York State Legislature’s approval rating: 

• Decreased among most demographic groups, most significantly among Democrats – down 7 points to 33%; New Yorkers under 55 – down 6 points to 34%; and among women – down 6 points to 33%.
• Increased only among higher income households – up 3 points to 29%; and Republicans - up 1 point to 37%.

• The Legislature’s highest approval rating is among Republicans, at 37%; its lowest approval rating is 28%, among both Independents and “other” party members and New Yorkers 55 and older.

The Legislature’s disapproval increased 7 points to 46%.

Attorney General Eliot Spitzer’s overall approval remained the same at 58%; his disapproval went up 3 points to 14%, and his “Don’t Know/No Opinion” responses decreased 3 points to 28%.

Comptroller Alan Hevesi’s overall approval increased 3 points to 45%; his disapproval went up 3 points to 13% and his “Don’t Know/No Opinion” responses went down 6 points to 42%.

“After three months of minute gains in approval, Governor Pataki lost 5 points in June and is nearly back to his February approval,” notes Joe Caruso, Director of Polling for the Siena Research Institute (SRI). “Still, he’s 10 points above his approval of a year ago and a little below his 12 month average.  The Legislature lost 4 points and also slipped back to near February approval.  The late budget debacle, exasperated by a legislative recess, is the likely cause. ”

For more information on the approval ratings of New York State Elected Officials 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 June 2004 by random telephone calls to 620 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.

The Siena New York Poll for June 2004

Approval Ratings: Governor Pataki and NYS Legislature