For Immediate Release
Contact: Christopher Grant
716.907.2698
chris@bigdogstrategies.com
President Trump More Popular in Democratic Western New York than Democrat Andrew Cuomo, Survey Finds
72% of WNY Voters Unsure of Buffalo Billion or Think It Is A Waste of Money
WNYer's Trust Local Media More Than Any Other Source for Their News
(Buffalo, NY) - President Trump is more popular in democratic Western New York than Democrat Andrew Cuomo, according to the findings of a new poll commissioned by Big Dog Strategies, a GOP consulting firm based in Buffalo, New York.
Despite a democratic enrollment advantage, a new survey of the eight counties of western New York comprising the Buffalo DMA shows that President Trump is still more popular in Western New York than incumbent Governor - and Democrat - Andrew Cuomo. While both mens' image rating is upside down, President Trump's is higher (42% approval - 48% disapproval), compared with Governor Cuomo's approval rating. (36% approval - 49% disapprove).
"Despite having a significant party enrollment advantage, Andrew Cuomo's standing continues to plummet in the Democratic strongholds of Western New York," said Christopher Grant, CEO of Big Dog Strategies. "For a Democrat Governor to be more unpopular than a Republican President in Democratic territory says something about how weak Andrew Cuomo is heading into 2018," said Grant.
Independent voters in Western New York approve of President Trump, 44%-43%. However, they disapprove of Governor Cuomo by a 2-1 margin, with 56% disapproving of the Governor, and only 27% approving.
The Governor's signature economic development initiative, the "Buffalo Billion", is even more under water. 41% of voters say the Buffalo Billion is not
working and is a waste of money; while only 28% of votes says it is working, with 31% unsure.
"Even more troubling for the governor is the fact that his signature economic development issue is seen as a complete waste of money and a boondoggle. Nearly 72% of voters are either unsure of the plan's impact or believe it is not working. When only 28% of the voters directly impacted by your biggest economic initiative believe that it is working, you have a real problem," said Grant.
The Big Dog Strategies poll also surveyed who Western New York voters trust the most for their news/information. 27% of voters trust local media outlets for their local news, the highest compared to national media outlets (24%). Cable news (14%) and talk radio (7%) were two
additional outlets trusted by Western New York voters; 13% and 14% said something else or not sure, respectively.
The survey was conducted November 16, 2017. 1,713 likely 2018 General Election voters participated in the survey, which was weighted to match demographics for the 2018 General Election. The margin of error is +/- 2.36%.
The full survey, complete with cross tabs and methodology, can be viewed here.
Watch our WGRZ-TV 2 story by clicking the link below.