The Siena College poll of likely voters showed Cuomo, the state attorney general, leading the Buffalo-area businessman 56-32 percent. Fifty-nine percent of voters view Paladino unfavorably and 61 percent agree he “is a loose cannon, who doesn’t have the temperament to be governor.”

Cuomo has an 11-point lead among independents and about twice as many Republicans back the Democrat than Democrats support the Republican: 25 percent to 12 percent.

“With four weeks until voters go to the polls, Cuomo remains in a very strong position to be elected New York’s next governor,” pollster Steve Greenberg said.