Chuck Schumer’s Approval CRISIS: Unprecedented Decline

A man with glasses speaking passionately during a public address

New York voters have plunged Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer’s approval to a record-low 27%, signaling a seismic shift in the Empire State that could reshape 2026 elections.

Story Snapshot

Marist Poll from February 2026 marks Schumer’s job approval at 27% excellent/good, down from 34% last year—his worst in 25+ years of tracking.
65% of registered voters rate him fair or poor, with independents (65% negative) and Republicans (84% negative) driving the plunge.
Governor Kathy Hochul bucks the trend at 46% approval, leading GOP challenger Bruce Blakeman by 17 points amid state optimism.
Senator Kirsten Gillibrand also hits a 15-year low at 31%, highlighting broader Democratic woes in New York.
National aggregates show Schumer at 25.8% favorable versus 46.8% unfavorable, amplifying local backlash.

Schumer’s Record-Low Approval in Marist Poll

The Marist Institute for Public Opinion conducted its February 2026 survey among New York registered voters. Schumer earned excellent or good job ratings from just 27%, a drop from 34% the previous year. Fair or poor ratings reached 65%. This marks his first sub-30% approval since tracking began in 1999. Republicans gave him 84% negative views, up sharply from prior polls. Independents followed at 65% negative. Democrats held at 50% negative, revealing cracks even in his base. These numbers confirm a brutal voter turn in an election year.

New Yorkers Turn on Chuck Schumer (Finally) in Brutal Surveyhttps://t.co/dANTwjrgHf

— PJ Media Updates (@PJMediaUpdates) February 26, 2026

Historical Decline Since 2024 Elections

Chuck Schumer entered the Senate in 1999 and led Democrats as Majority Leader from 2021 to 2025. Republicans reclaimed Senate control in 2024, shifting him to Minority Leader. His New York approval stood at 34% in 2025 Marist polls. Siena Research Institute tracked favorability dips: 32-55% in November 2025, a slight rebound to 36-49% in December. January 2026 Siena data showed 39-46%. Yet Marist’s job approval metric hit a unique low. National RealClearPolitics averages placed him at 25.8% favorable against 46.8% unfavorable. Post-2024 GOP gains echoed 2010 Tea Party impacts on Democrats.

Stakeholders and Contrasting Fortunes

Governor Kathy Hochul rose to 46% approval in the Marist poll, up from 39% in April 2025. She led Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman 17 points in Marist and 54-28% in Siena. Hochul enjoyed 69% favorability among Democrats and bipartisan budget support at 56-68%. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand fell to 31% approval, her lowest in 15 years. Blakeman trailed with low name recognition—52% unsure in Marist. Schumer’s national role alienated moderates while Hochul capitalized on state positives. Republicans eyed federal Democratic fatigue for 2026 gains, especially upstate.

Recent Polls and Analyst Insights

Siena’s January 26-28, 2026, poll of 802 voters showed Schumer’s favorability rebounding slightly to 39-46% from December lows. Analyst Steven Greenberg described Schumer as still digging out from his all-time low, contrasting Hochul’s Democratic strength. Marist released its findings early February 2026, sparking media coverage on February 26. No direct Schumer response appeared in poll data. YouGov trackers continued nationally. Conservative outlets framed the Marist results as Schumer loathed more than ever. Neutral pollsters emphasized methodological rigor and regional breakdowns as election warnings.

Implications for 2026 Elections

Schumer’s lows weaken his influence over New York races and midterms, boosting Republican turnout. Upstate and GOP voters energized at 84% negative views. Urban Democrats stuck with Hochul. Long-term, the trend signals Democratic vulnerabilities in blue states after 2024 losses. State voters expressed economic pessimism but modest optimism under Hochul. Partisan media amplified critiques, shaping national Senate leader narratives. Common sense aligns with polls: national partisanship erodes local support when state leaders deliver. Republicans position to exploit this divide in the gubernatorial contest.