A new Siena poll (810 RVs, 3/15-18, MoE +/- 3.4%) is the first in New York to test the potential Republican primary for governor between former Rep. Rick Lazio (R) and Steve Levy, the Suffolk County Executive and soon-to-be-former Democrat. Lazio leads Levy 45-16 in an initial test, with 40 percent undecided. When Republican voters are informed of Levy's political affiliation, Lazio's lead expands to 60-19, with 22 percent undecided.

Democratic Attorney General Andrew Cuomo, meanwhile, continues to be the early heavy favorite to ultimately win the seat in November.

Governor General Election Matchups
Cuomo 59 (-4 vs. last poll, 3/8)
Lazio 21 (-4)
Redlich 3 (n/a)
Und 17 (+6)

Cuomo 63
Levy 16
Redlich 4
Und 17

Levy's effort to reach the ballot still faces some hurdles. Primarily, he'll have to secure enough endorsements at the state GOP convention in June. Lazio, meanwhile, was endorsed this weekend by the New York Conservative Party, potentially creating a scenario similar to the New York 23 special election where Lazio could appear on the November ballot in the Conservative line, regardless of whether Levy can secure the GOP nomination.

After the jump, numbers on the Senate race in a hypothetical matchup between Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand and former Gov. George Pataki, and an update on Gov. David Paterson's (D) situation.

Senate General Election Matchup
Pataki 45 (-2 vs. last poll, 2/22)
Gillibrand 39 (-2)
Und

Gov. David Paterson seems to have weathered the storm after announcing he would not seek a full term. Sixty-four percent of New Yorkers now say he should serve out his term, up from 55 percent earlier this month, and 30 percent say he should resign immediately, down from 37 percent.

Favorable Ratings
Paterson 25 / 65
Cuomo 63 / 22
Lazio 29 / 27
Levy 16 / 16
Gillibrand 32 / 29
Pataki 56 / 33
Schumer 62 / 27
Pres. Obama 58 / 37

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