New York State Campaign 2006

Final Poll

EMBARGOED FOR RELEASE: FRIDAY 6:00 P.M. NOVEMBER 3, 2006

All references must be sourced WNBC/Marist Poll

Contact: Dr. Lee M. Miringoff

Dr. Barbara L. Carvalho

Marist College

845.575.5050

This WNBC/Marist Poll of New York State reports:

· Mired in controversy, New York State Comptroller Alan Hevesi still leads his Republican opponent, but nearly one in six likely voters are on the fence: Going into the final weekend of the 2006 campaign, Alan Hevesi leads his Republican opponent Christopher Callaghan by twelve points in the race for New York State comptroller. However, there are several factors that point to a competitive outcome on Election Day. Hevesi, for the first time, receives the support of fewer than half the New Yorkers likely to vote next Tuesday. He has the support of 48% of likely voters compared with 36% for Callaghan. In addition, 14% of likely voters remain undecided, a proportion which is considerably higher than it is in the other statewide races. About one in ten voters also say they might vote differently on Election Day, although Callaghan supporters are just as likely to have this view as Hevesi supporters.

Question Wording: If next week’s election for comptroller of New York State were held today, whom would you support if the candidates are:

	Christopher Callaghan Republican	Alan Hevesi Democrat	Not Voting for Either One (Vol.)	Undecided
Likely Voters
November 3, 2006	36%	48%	2%	14%
October 27, 2006	38%	50%	n.a.	12%
October 20, 2006	22%	62%	n.a.	16%
Registered Voters
November 3, 2006	35%	46%	3%	16%
October 27, 2006	37%	50%	n.a.	13%
October 20, 2006	25%	57%	n.a.	18%
September 28, 2006	27%	57%	n.a.	16%
September 8, 2006	28%	57%	n.a.	15%
August 2006	27%	60%	n.a.	13%
July 2006	28%	57%	n.a.	15%

Question Wording: Would you say that you strongly support (candidate’s name) somewhat support him, or do you think that you might vote differently on Election Day?

Likely Voters	Strongly Support	Somewhat Support	Might Vote Differently	Unsure
November 3, 2006	50%	38%	11%	1%
October 27, 2006	42%	40%	16%	2%
October 20, 2006	45%	42%	12%	1%
Callaghan supporters
November 3, 2006	49%	38%	10%	3%
October 27, 2006	38%	43%	17%	2%
October 20, 2006	49%	34%	16%	1%
Hevesi supporters
November 3, 2006	50%	38%	11%	1%
October 27, 2006	45%	38%	15%	2%
October 20, 2006	44%	45%	10%	1%

· Most voters think Alan Hevesi did something wrong in his role as comptroller: 52% of registered voters believe New York State Comptroller Alan Hevesi did something unethical when he misused public funds to chauffeur his wife, and 35% think he broke the law. Only 6% think he did nothing wrong.

Question Wording: New York State comptroller Alan Hevesi used public funds to have a member of his staff as a driver for his wife. Do you think Alan Hevesi did nothing wrong, did something unethical but not illegal, or do you think he did something illegal?

Registered Voters	Did Nothing Wrong	Did Something Unethical	Did Something Illegal	Unsure
November 3, 2006	6%	52%	35%	7%
October 27, 2006	8%	47%	31%	14%
October 20, 2006	6%	51%	38%	5%
September 28, 2006	18%	30%	22%	30%

· Although a majority of voters are troubled by Hevesi’s actions, many still do not want him to resign from office: 55% of registered voters are troubled by Alan Hevesi’s admission of his misuse of public funds, but 57% do not want him to resign from office.

Question Wording: Does it bother you a great deal, a good amount, not very much, or not at all, that Alan Hevesi as New York State comptroller is involved in something like this?

Registered Voters	A Great Deal/Good Amount	A Great Deal	A Good Amount	Not Very Much	Not At All	Unsure
November 3, 2006	55%	31%	24%	29%	14%	2%
October 27, 2006	55%	30%	25%	24%	17%	4%
September 28, 2006	37%	24%	13%	25%	26%	12%

Question Wording: Do you think Alan Hevesi should resign as New York State comptroller, or not?

Registered Voters	Should Resign	Should Not Resign	Unsure
November 3, 2006	35%	57%	8%
October 27, 2006	33%	58%	9%

· Eliot Spitzer has a commanding lead over his Republican opponent John Faso in the race for New York’s next governor: Attorney General Eliot Spitzer leads his Republican opponent, former Assemblyman John Faso by 45 percentage points. Spitzer receives the support of 69% of New Yorkers likely to vote on Election Day compared with 24% for Faso. 7% of likely voters are undecided.

Question Wording: If next week’s election for governor of New York State were held today, whom would you support if the candidates are:

	John Faso Republican	Eliot Spitzer Democrat	Undecided
Likely Voters
November 3, 2006	24%