Business life: My finance news blog

Attorney General Andrew Cuomo remains the overwhelming favorite to become New York’s next governor yet voters want to hear more from him on the state’s budget woes.

That message is from a Quinnipiac University poll released Tuesday.

Overall, 64 percent of New York voters, against 21 percent, want the Democratic candidate to weigh in on the protracted fiscal situation. Broken down by party, Republicans say (68-20) percent Cuomo isn’t explaining enough, an opinion shared by Democrats (58-26) percent and independent voters (71-15) percent.

“Imagine that: Voters want to hear more from a politician. Attorney General Andrew Cuomo has been too quiet on how we would solve Albany’s budget mess, which he’ll inherit — if he’s elected,” said Maurice Carroll, director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute.

Despite his silence, Cuomo maintains a 72-16 percent approval rating and holds a commanding lead on two Republican challengers. Quinnipiac has Cuomo in front of former Congressman Rick Lazio, 58-26 percent, up from 55-26 percent April 13. When put against Buffalo businessman Carl Paladino, Cuomo’s advantage is 59-23 percent, compared to 60-24 percent in a previous poll.

Lazio, the endorsed GOP candidate, tops Paladino in a Republican primary 46-17 percent, with 28 percent undecided.

The poll results on the governor’s race and other issues, including the U.S. Senate seat held by Kirsten Gillibrand and President Barack Obama’s job performance can be found here.

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