Disgraced Cuomo would pose formidable primary challenge to NY Gov. Hochul, poll

Disgraced former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D), could potentially give current New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) a run for her money during the next gubernatorial election, a new poll has found.

According to the poll, Cuomo – who resigned last summer following a report from the New York attorney general that detailed a practice of the serial sexual harassment of his female employees – would trail Hochul by just 4 points, if he entered the Democratic primary. Hochul served as Cuomo's lieutenant governor for six years before ascending to the top job when Cuomo resigned.

Hochul is looking at a 37% share of Democratic voters, while Cuomo, according to the poll, could capture 33% of them. About 16% of Democratic voters said they were undecided or would pick a different candidate, and 7% said they were on team Tom Suozzi, a Rep. from Long Island. An additional 4% backed Jumaane Williams, the progressive public advocate for New York.

Cuomo, whose resignation arrived under threat of likely impeachment, has been floating the idea of a comeback in recent days. The former Gov. who was celebrated universally by the media elite during the early days of COVID-19, would have run for a fourth-term, had his behavior not caught up with him. 

Cuomo has argued that the attorney general's report was a political hit job that did not match the reality of his actions. Most voters, 60%, disagree, saying the investigation was a serious attempt to get to the bottom of Cuomo's treatment of female staffers in his circles. 

Despite his apparently ability to capture Democratic support, 63% of those polled, said Cuomo should not renter public office – 24% disagree; the rest have no opinion.

The New York primary election will be held on June 28.