New Poll Shows New York Voters Support Hochul’s Pragmatic Leadership on Natural Gas and Renewables by Wide Margins

(Albany, NY) – As New York heads into a gubernatorial election year, a new statewide survey of likely voters finds overwhelming support for a balanced, “all-of-the-above” energy strategy that combines renewable energy with natural gas to ensure affordability, reliability and lower emissions.

The survey of 600 likely New York voters, conducted February 2–4, 2026 for Natural Allies for a Clean Energy Future by bipartisan public affairs firm MAD Global Strategy, shows that 71% of voters want to vote for candidates for Governor and state legislature who seek out a middle ground on renewables and natural gas, rather than candidates who focus on enacting aggressive climate laws. That includes 58% of Democrats, 75% of undecided gubernatorial voters, and 66% of voters in the New York City media market.

Affordability remains the dominant issue shaping voter attitudes: 81% of voters say their electric bills are too high, including 50% who say they are “much too high,” up 4 points since last year’s survey. When asked to identify their top two energy priorities, 87% selected affordability and finances, followed by 62% who cited reliable energy, and 40% who pointed to low emissions and climate change. This is a 5-point shift since last May toward prioritizing affordability. 

The poll also tested voter reaction to recent high-profile energy decisions in New York:

• 64% support the recently approved underground natural gas pipeline into Long Island, with support rising to 77% when voters are told Governor Kathy Hochul backed the project. In fact, identifying the Hochul Administration’s support increases backing among Democrats by 28 points, African Americans by 39 points, and younger voters by 22 points.
  
  
• Despite criticism from her own Party, voters also support Governor Hochul’s decision to delay electrification mandates by a 32-point margin, which would have banned natural gas in commercial buildings. This includes a 47-point margin among Democrats and a 46-point margin among undecided voters. Last November, she dismissed outrage from environmental activists, stating “we need to govern in reality.”
  
  
• At the same time, voters oppose Trump Administration efforts to cancel New York’s offshore wind program by a 28-point margin – demonstrating broad support for renewables too as part of a balanced portfolio.

Broad majorities also support the need for more natural gas in New York based on third-party warnings about grid reliability and affordability. Natural Allies asked voters about the state’s independent grid operator warning of potential electricity shortfalls and blackout risks – which moved 67 percent of voters to support an all-of-the-above strategy. Similar levels of support (66%) follow when voters hear from the Democratic-aligned Progressive Policy Institute about New York’s failure to achieve its climate goals despite rising electric costs.

“This poll shows New Yorkers strongly support a balanced approach to energy that includes both renewables and natural gas, and Governor Hochul’s recent decisions and comments prove she is on the right path. Voters agree with her by wide margins, even if those decisions anger small corners of her own Party,” said former Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr., a Co-Chair of Natural Allies.  “It also shows that whether it’s Donald Trump canceling offshore wind, or environmental activists trying to stop natural gas – voters oppose both extremes and want more balance. With growing concerns about energy costs, natural gas and renewables working together is smart policy and smart politics.”

Importantly, despite conventional wisdom about deep blue states like New York, natural gas remains the second most popular energy source in the state with a +48% net positive rating, nearly matching solar’s +54% net positive rating.

“New York is in a challenging moment right now and for the foreseeable future on energy. The power grid is warning of electricity shortfalls, while business groups and progressive allies are warning about rising costs because of impractical climate mandates. We need to act now,” added former New York Lieutenant Governor Robert Duffy, a Co-Chair of Natural Allies. “By expanding our natural gas infrastructure alongside renewables, we can grow our economy, improve affordability, and cut emissions with a reliable grid. This is exactly why I continue to support Governor Hochul’s all-of-the-above approach to energy.”

From a national perspective, the data indicates a broader lesson for Democratic leaders that these policies are popular even in deep blue states.

“This polling confirms something many of us have seen across the country: when Democratic leaders govern in reality and publicly acknowledge the continued role of natural gas alongside renewables, they aren’t punished by their base, they are in fact rewarded,” added former Ohio Congressman Tim Ryan, a Co-Chair of Natural Allies. “Governor Hochul’s recent positioning on energy provides a roadmap for Democrats across the country. At a time of exploding demand and rising costs, Democrats should talk about natural gas and energy honestly, to deliver practical solutions that benefit working families and job creation.”

Additionally, the survey found Governor Hochul currently holding a 13-point lead in a hypothetical gubernatorial matchup with Republican Bruce Blakeman (47-34%), with 17% undecided, while her job approval has improved four points since last May (44% approve, to 48% disapprove).

The poll was conducted by MAD Global Strategy via text-to-web survey February 2–4, 2026 among 600 likely New York voters. The margin of error is +/- 4.0%. 

A copy of the poll briefing memo is attached here.  

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