A new poll shows that Representative Ritchie Torres is in a close race with current Governor Kathy Hochul among New York City Democrats, making it a possible dead heat if the two face off in a future Democratic primary for governor.
The Emerson College/PIX11 poll, released recently, reveals that both Torres and Hochul are nearly tied when it comes to support from Democratic voters in NYC.
According to the results, Torres has about 22% of the support, while Hochul has 23%. The rest of the voters are either undecided or leaning toward other potential candidates.
This new data is important because it shows that Governor Hochul might not have the solid base many expected going into another election.
Torres, who is younger and represents the Bronx in Congress, is gaining momentum and name recognition among Democratic voters in the city.
What makes this poll interesting is how quickly Torres is becoming a serious contender. Until now, Hochul has been seen as the likely Democratic nominee if she runs for re-election in 2026.
But this poll shows that her path may not be as easy as expected, especially in New York City, where a large number of Democrats live and vote.
The poll also mentioned other names like Attorney General Letitia James and Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, but their support was lower compared to Torres and Hochul. James had about 13% support, while Williams had around 11%.
Around 24% of voters said they were still undecided, which means this race could go in many directions as more candidates announce their plans and campaigns start.
Political experts believe this poll is an early sign that the 2026 Democratic primary for governor could be competitive, especially in the NYC region.
While polls taken this far ahead of an election aren’t always accurate, they can give us an idea of how voters are feeling and which leaders are gaining traction.
Ritchie Torres has built his career as a progressive Democrat who focuses on affordable housing, LGBTQ+ rights, and fighting poverty.
These issues may be helping him connect with younger and more left-leaning voters in the city. Meanwhile, Governor Hochul has faced criticism from both the left and the right during her time in office, especially on topics like bail reform, housing policy, and crime.
The poll also found that many Democrats in NYC feel disconnected from Hochul’s leadership, suggesting a hunger for new faces and ideas in state government.
If Torres continues to grow in popularity, he may push Hochul into a tough race that could split the party and energize new voters.
Still, it’s too early to say what will happen. Much will depend on whether Torres decides to run, how Hochul performs over the next year, and whether any other strong Democrats enter the race.
But what’s clear from this poll is that the Democratic base in NYC is not fully behind Hochul, and that opens the door for a serious challenger.
In the end, this early poll highlights growing interest in who will lead New York next. For now, it looks like the race could be far more competitive than many expected, with Torres and Hochul already standing shoulder to shoulder in the eyes of many city voters.