Chuck Schumer Hits Record Low Approval, Faces Pressure from Democrats

NEW YORK – Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer is experiencing the worst favorability ratings of his political career, a new Siena College survey shows. Only 32% of New York voters view him positively, while 55% disapprove.

“This is Schumer’s lowest approval in more than 20 years,” said Siena pollster Steven Greenberg. “In February 2005, he had a 63-20% favorability rating. By July 2005, it reached an all-time high of 70-22%. In December 2016, the month before becoming Senate Democratic leader, he still had a positive rating with Republicans at 55-37%. Today, 74% of Republicans and 61% of independents view him unfavorably, and even among Democrats his support is barely positive at 45-43%, down from 52-36% in September.”

The decline in support has sparked calls from progressive Democrats for Schumer to step aside or face potential primary challenges. Greenberg added, “Schumer is viewed unfavorably by a plurality of New York City voters and strong majorities of downstate suburbanites and upstaters.”

Meanwhile, left-leaning figures such as Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez remain more popular in the state, with an overall favorability of 42-37%. Among Democrats, her support jumps to 62-20%, and in New York City, 55-27%.

The poll of 802 registered New York voters was conducted November 10–12 and has a margin of error of plus or minus 4 percentage points.