The first post-debate Emerson College Polling/Pix11/The Hill survey of New York voters finds Democratic Governor Kathy Hochul with an eight-point lead over Republican Congressman Lee Zeldin, 52% to 44%. Three percent are undecided. With undecided voters’ support accounted for, Hochul’s lead extends to nine points, 54% to 45%. Since the pre-debate Emerson/Pix11/The Hill poll, Hochul has gained two percentage points and Zeldin has stayed at 44% support.

Eighty-seven percent of voters have heard, seen, or read a lot (49%) or a little (38%) about last week’s New York gubernatorial debate. Among these voters, a plurality (39%) say the debate made no difference on their opinion of Governor Hochul, while 35% say it worsened their opinion of the Governor, and 26% say it improved their opinion of her. A plurality of voters (41%) say the debate improved their opinion of Lee Zeldin, while 34% say it made no difference and 25% say it worsened their opinion of Zeldin.

Spencer Kimball, Executive Director of Emerson College Polling, noted: “Hochul leads 70% to 26% among voters who said the debate makes no difference on their vote.”