Loudonville, NY - According to a recent poll conducted by Siena College, the influx of migrants into New York State continues to be a significant concern for the majority of voters, with 84% considering it a serious problem, 57% of which consider it to be very serious. Furthermore, 58% of New Yorkers agree with Mayor Eric Adams' statement that the migrant issue "will destroy New York City."

The poll, which surveyed registered New York State voters, also highlighted a growing worry about crime rates, with 59% stating that crime in the state had worsened over the last year.

President Biden's favorability rating has experienced a slight decline, with 45-52% of voters holding a favorable view, down from 50-45% in September. His job approval rating also saw a decrease, now standing at 46-51%, slightly down from 47-48% last month. When compared to former President Trump, Biden leads in a head-to-head matchup by 46-37%, down from 52-31% in the previous month.

Regarding the 2024 presidential election, the poll revealed that Democrats are seeking a different nominee, with 52% preferring a candidate other than Biden, compared to 41% who still support him. In a 4-way matchup involving independent candidates Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. and Cornell West, Biden leads Trump by 38-31%, with Kennedy holding 13% and West garnering 5%.

The issue of aiding foreign countries also garnered attention in the poll. New Yorkers expressed support for providing military and economic aid to Ukraine, with 51% in favor and 38% opposed. Similarly, 57% of voters supported aid for Israel, while 32% were against it. Opinions were divided on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, with 50% of voters expressing concern about Israeli attacks in Gaza potentially harming innocent Palestinian civilians, while 32% believed that Israel should take strong action to prevent future attacks, regardless of casualties.

Governor Kathy Hochul received mixed ratings, with a 40-44% favorability rating and a 45-45% job approval rating. Former President Donald Trump's favorability rating improved slightly to 36-59%, and Republicans overwhelmingly expressed support for him as their party's nominee for president in 2024.

In terms of political representation, voters favored Democrats, with 49% saying they would vote for a Democrat for their representative in Congress, compared to 37% who would choose a Republican. Similarly, 51% of voters expressed a desire for Democrats to control the House after the 2024 election.

The Siena College poll provided essential insights into the concerns and preferences of New York State voters, shedding light on issues such as the migrant influx, crime rates, and the political landscape. As the 2022 elections approach, these findings serve as an important gauge of public sentiment, highlighting areas of focus for politicians and policymakers.