Disgraced, ex- NY Gov. Cuomo trails replacement Hochul by just 8 points in possible primary, poll

Former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who resigned last year amid a wave of sexual misconduct allegations, trails is replace Kathy Hochul by just 8 percentage points in a possible Democratic primary this summer, according to a new poll.

Hochul – who became the state's first female governor following Cuomo's resignation last summer – receives 38% of the vote, while Cuomo receives 30%, shows the Siena College Research Institute poll released Monday.

Rep. Tom Suozzi receives 10% of the vote, and New York City Public Advocate Jumaane Williams receives 7%. 

Cuomo is floating a political comeback, having given at least two in-person speeches in recent weeks, but has not declared his candidacy.

When respondents were asked to vote on only those who have officially entered the race, the polls showed Hochul with 52% of the hypothetical vote, compared to 12% for Williams and 11% for Suozzi.

The poll was conducted March 20-24 among 804 registered New York state voters with a 4.2% margin of error.

Though 30% of the vote appears to be a strong showing for Cuomo, who resigned following a report from the state's attorney general's office that gave credence to multiple accusations of sexual harassment from women on his staff, he still faces a steep climb to reelection.

Just one-third of registered Democrats want Cuomo to enter the primary field, and only 32% say they believe he did not sexually harass multiple women, according to the poll.

Cuomo's favorability ratings remain deep underwater, with an approval rating of 32% from all registered voters, and an unfavorability rating of 60%. Those figures have remained constant, despite a multimillion dollar ad campaign unfurled last month to rehabilitate his image. Cuomo also reportedly still has roughy $16 million in campaign cash.