Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer has officially hit the lowest point of his political career — and New York voters are sending him a message he can’t ignore.
A brand-new Siena College survey reveals Schumer’s worst approval rating in over 21 years, exposing a dramatic collapse for the man who once dominated New York politics.
According to the poll, only 32% of voters have a favorable opinion of Schumer, while a crushing 55% now view him negatively. For a politician who has spent decades shaping Democrat strategy in Washington, this is nothing short of a political earthquake.
A Stunning Backlash From Every Corner of New York
One of the most striking details in the poll is the across-the-board rejection. Every major voter group — liberals, moderates, conservatives, young voters, seniors, men, women, upstate residents, downstate suburbanites, and even many New York City Democrats — are turning their backs on Schumer.
Even within his own party, Schumer is no longer a safe bet. Registered Democrats are split almost evenly at 45% favorable vs. 43% unfavorable, an incredibly weak showing for someone who has led the Senate Democratic caucus and represented the state for generations.
Black voters remain Schumer’s only reliably supportive group, giving him a 59% approval rating. But among white voters, his approval craters to 37%. Hispanic voters aren’t far behind in their dissatisfaction, with 58% reporting an unfavorable view.
Jewish voters — a constituency Schumer has long highlighted due to his own heritage — are now essentially divided, with 46% favorable and 47% unfavorable.
Five Decades in Office — And Now a Collapse Nobody Saw Coming
Schumer has been a fixture in New York politics since the 1970s, climbing from state assemblyman to congressman to senator and eventually climbing to Senate Democratic Leader. But longevity can’t shield him from the reality reflected in the numbers: New Yorkers are tired of business-as-usual politics.
For perspective, Schumer once enjoyed sky-high approval ratings. In 2005, Siena reported him at 70% favorable, a number few statewide politicians ever achieve. Today, those days are long gone.
Much of the current backlash stems from frustration within Schumer’s own party. Progressive activists are furious that he failed to extract concessions from President Donald Trump and Republicans during the historic government shutdown. Democrats on the far left accuse him of weakness, while Republicans point to years of failed leadership.
The result? A rare moment where voters across the political spectrum agree — Schumer’s influence is fading.
AOC Surpasses Schumer in Popularity — And That’s a Warning Sign
Perhaps the most embarrassing blow for Schumer is the rise of Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. The socialist Democrat is now polling higher than Schumer statewide, with an overall 42% favorable rating.
Among Democrats, AOC is skyrocketing with a 62% approval rating, and she holds strong numbers among New York City voters as well. The far-left base is embracing her vision and abandoning the old Democrat establishment — and some progressive groups are already urging her to launch a primary challenge against Schumer if he runs for reelection in 2028.
If AOC decides to make a move, Democrats could be facing the most explosive primary battle in modern New York history.
New Yorkers Are Clearly Ready for Change
Schumer’s dramatic fall from political powerhouse to embattled Democrat leader is impossible for even his strongest defenders to spin. For the first time in decades, New Yorkers are openly questioning his leadership, his priorities, and his relevance.
The Siena poll — conducted November 10–12 with 802 registered voters and a margin of error of ±4% — confirms what many conservatives have long argued: Chuck Schumer’s time in Washington may be nearing an end, and even voters in deep-blue New York are waking up to it.