Atty. Gen. Andrew Cuomo would easily defeat Gov. David Paterson in a Democratic primary and beat Rudy Giuliani in the general election for New York governor, according to the latest survey by Siena Research Institute (May 18-21, 622 NY RV, MoE +/- 3.9%).

Paterson's low numbers continue: 60% hold an unfavorable opinion of him, 38% think he's doing a poor job as governor, and twice as many people would rather see disgraced former governor Eliot Spitzer in office than Paterson.

Governor
Dem Primary
Cuomo 70 (+6 vs. last poll, April)
Paterson 19 (+8)
Und 11 (-6)

General Election
Giuliani 59 (+3 vs. last poll, April)
Paterson 31 (+2)
Und 10 (-5)

Cuomo 53 (nc vs. last poll, April)
Giuliani 41 (+2)
Und 6 (-2)

For Senate, appointed Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand's numbers are slightly improving, as 27% (+7 from last month) now say they would vote to elect her, while 39% (-8) say they would prefer someone else. Still only one-third of voters have a favorable opinion of Gillibrand, unchanged from a survey released in March. Siena tested Gillibrand against Rep. Peter King (R) and former Gov. George Pataki (R).

Senate
Gillibrand 48 (+1 vs. last poll, March)
King 26 (+3)
Und 26 (-4)

Gillibrand 43 (+2 vs. last poll, March)
Pataki 43 (+2)
Und 14 (-4)