Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro speaks during the Democratic National Convention Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
Minutes before Gov. Kathy Hochul walked to a stage placed in front of more than 60 chairs reserved for elected officials and area leaders, dance and pop music blared for the 200 in attendance at the Williams Center on the State University of New York at Fredonia campus in June. That ambiance has become a staple during major announcements made here and throughout the state by its highest-ranking officer.
It is a good thing there is something to keep those in attendance entertained. Almost in every instance, the governor — even those who previously held office — show up fashionably late.
Hochul, like so many others who have worked their way up the political ladder, loves the spotlight — and the applause. In making the significant announcement that $74 million in state funds would be released for the building of a new Brooks-TLC Hospital System in Fredonia that June 3 afternoon, the governor had won over everyone in the building — even a Republican majority in Chautauqua County stood and applauded.
Those moments are worth savoring for Hochul, a Democrat who is finding the going rough. Within three weeks after the hospital announcement, a Siena College poll offered up the bad news. At that time, the governor had her lowest favorability rating and job approval rating, which hovered between 38% and 50%.
“When it comes to various Hochul characteristics, the partisan divide remains between Democrats on one side and Republicans joined by independents on the other side,” Siena College pollster Steven Greenberg said. “Democrats say Hochul cares about people like them, works hard, is a decisive leader, and honest. Republicans and independents don’t agree.”
Hochul’s polling numbers could be an indication of familiarity breeding contempt. While serving as the second-in-command to former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, she was seen as an excellent ambassador.
Unlike her previous boss, in the role of lieutenant governor she was able to forge partnerships and communicate on a productive one-on-one level. Cuomo, especially during the daily COVID-19 news conferences, became too much of a dictator — practically making sure everyone was hearing his voice and quieting any dissension.
His resignation after sexual-abuse allegations was expected to bring a more cohesive New York, especially on the upstate front where Hochul had roots. To be fair, as the Siena poll noted, she seems to have lost touch with her hometown region.
Her allegiance seems downstate for obvious reasons. Democrats have a stranglehold on the Big Apple — 8 million of the state’s 19 million population. If Hochul can win it there, the better the odds of her ruling the roost in Albany.
That is exactly how she won election almost two years ago when she was being challenged by Lee Zeldin. Even in her home of Erie County, Hochul was victorious but only by a 52% to 48% margin.
That’s far from a ringing endorsement and speaks to her current troubles with most of the state north of New York City.
Over the border in neighboring Pennsylvania, it seems Gov. Josh Shapiro is making all the right moves. According to the Philadelphia Inquirer, Shapiro’s favorability ratings in late September — at 59% — are higher than Kamala Harris at 46% and Donald Trump at 45%.
Before Harris’s selection of Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz in early August, many tied to the political process believed Shapiro would be getting the call as running mate due to his particular appeal to moderate voters. Though he supports a private school voucher program, natural gas infrastructure and Israel’s war in Gaza after Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack, not everyone on the left is comfortable with those stances.
“I am going to continue pouring my heart and soul into continuing to serve you every single day as your governor,” Shapiro said in Philadelphia days after the Walz selection
Just the same, Shapiro is leading an important swing state in the presidential election, bringing a benefit to the Harris-Walz ticket. He’s been vocal in his support for the Democrats — and he has something Hochul is missing: popularity.
If the presidential race comes down to the Electoral College — like it has in so many previous recent contests — Shapiro looms large. Maybe the Democrats as a whole understood that angle.
Shapiro’s prominence in the Keystone State is undeniable at this point. Keeping him at the helm in Harrisburg may be just what the party needs to get over the hump in this campaign.
John D’Agostino is editor of The Post-Journal, OBSERVER and Times Observer in Warren, Pa. Send comments to jdagostino@observertoday.com or call 716-487-1111, ext. 253.