Nearly half of New York likely voters report feeling financially worse off than they were a year ago, according to a new survey released by Marist College. The poll found that 45% of respondents believe their personal family finances have worsened in the past year.

In contrast, only 13% of those surveyed said their financial situation has improved, while 40% indicated their finances have remained about the same. The survey also noted that 54% of Democrats reported a decline in their financial standing, compared to 34% of Republicans.

Voters across different regions of the state expressed similar concerns about rising costs. Forty-seven percent of upstate voters, 44% of suburbanites, and 42% of New York City voters stated they are financially worse off. Among non-white voters, 54% reported their finances have worsened, compared to 39% of white voters.

Campaign strategist O’Brien O.B. Murray attributed the sentiment to prolonged higher costs, stating, "New Yorkers are paying more and getting less. They feel it every day." He suggested that while geopolitical events might influence gas prices, New York's tax and spending policies have historically contributed to financial strain. Voters are experiencing increased costs for mortgages, rent, utilities, healthcare, and taxes.

"Every day they pay more and say, 'Who do I blame?' Voters like to take it out on someone. It's the incumbents," Murray added.

In the gubernatorial race, the Marist poll indicates incumbent Democrat Kathy Hochul leads Republican challenger Bruce Blakeman by 11 percentage points, with 53% of likely voters favoring Hochul and 42% supporting Blakeman. This margin is slightly tighter than a Siena University survey released the same day, which showed Hochul with a 14-point lead.

A notable difference highlighted by the Marist poll is Blakeman's lead among independent voters, who favor him 49% to 39%. The Siena poll, however, suggests Hochul leads independents by 10 points, a shift from a previous Siena poll where Blakeman had a 5-point advantage among this group.

Regarding other statewide races, the Siena poll indicates Democratic incumbent Letitia James leads Republican Saritha Komatireddy 54% to 39% in the race for attorney general. For state comptroller, four-term Democratic incumbent Tom DiNapoli holds a 59% to 32% lead over Republican Joseph Hernandez.

Blakeman's campaign criticized the polls, calling them "voter suppression tactics" designed to discourage Republican voters. Campaign pollster John McLaughlin asserted that their internal surveys show a closer race and stated, "The only poll that matters is on Election Day, November 3."

The Marist Poll surveyed 1,448 New York State voters between October 22 and October 25, using live phone interviews, text messages, and online methods. The poll has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.9 percentage points for likely voters.