Maurice Carroll, Director

Quinnipiac University Polling Institute

Rubenstein Associates, Inc.,

Public Relations
Pat Smith (212) 843-8026

FOR RELEASE: OCTOBER 8, 2010

DESPITE ANGER AT D.C., DEMS LEAD IN ALL NEW YORK RACES,

QUINNIPIAC UNIVERSITY POLL FINDS;
WOMEN PROPEL GILLIBRAND TO DOUBLE-DIGIT LEAD
Democrats are surging in all New York statewide races as little-known Republican candidates
struggle for name recognition, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released today.
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand tops the magic 50 percent mark, leading Republican challenger
Joseph DioGuardi 55 – 34 percent, compared to a 48 – 42 percent Gillibrand lead in a
September 23 survey by the independent Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh-pe-ack) University.
Gillibrand leads 59 – 28 percent among women and 51 – 39 percent among men.
Describing their feelings about the federal government:
• 30 percent of likely voters say they are angry;
• 43 percent say they are dissatisfied;
• 23 percent say they are satisfied;
• 2 percent say they are enthusiastic.
DioGuardi leads Gillibrand among these angry voters 59 – 29 percent.
New York State likely voters approve 52 – 34 percent of the job Gillibrand is doing and
give her a 49 – 24 percent favorability rating.
For DioGuardi, 61 percent don’t know enough about him to form an opinion.
Sen. Charles Schumer tops Republican challenger Jay Townsend 63 – 32 percent. The
Democrat gets a 64 – 33 percent approval rating and a 62 – 31 percent favorability score, while
65 percent haven’t heard enough about Townsend to form an opinion.
“If Republicans are going to take back the U.S. Senate, it doesn’t look as if New York
will be much help. Both New York seats are on the ballot and Gillibrand and Schumer have
comfortable leads,” said Maurice Carroll, director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute.
-more-
Quinnipiac University Poll/October 8, 2010 – page 2
In the closest statewide race in New York, the race for State Attorney General, New
York State likely voters back Democratic State Sen. Eric Schneiderman 43 – 32 percent over
Staten Island District Attorney Dan Donovan. But 24 percent of voters are undecided and 39
percent of those who select a candidate say they might change their mind by Election Day.
Neither candidate is well known: 75 percent of voters don’t know enough about
Schneiderman to form an opinion and 85 percent don’t know enough about Donovan.
Democratic State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli leads Republican challenger Harry
Wilson 49 – 31 percent, with 20 percent undecided and 38 percent who might change their
mind.
Ninety percent of voters don’t know enough about Wilson to form an opinion,
compared to 65 percent who don’t know enough about DiNapoli.
“There seems to be about a one-third generic Republican vote. All the Republican
candidates for New York statewide office are within a couple of points of it,” Carroll said.
“Harry Wilson wins the anonymity prize. Nine out of ten of New Yorkers don’t know
enough about him to give a thumbs-up or thumbs-down rating. But you have to wonder if
anybody is paying attention. Even Sen. Eric Schneiderman and State Comptroller Thomas
DiNapoli come up short on public recognition.”
From October 1 – 5, Quinnipiac University surveyed 1,141 New York State likely voters,
with a margin of error of +/- 2.9 percentage points.
The Quinnipiac University Poll, directed by Douglas Schwartz, Ph.D., conducts public
opinion surveys in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Florida, Ohio and
nationwide as a public service and for research.
For more data or RSS feed– http://www.quinnipiac.edu/polling.xml, call (203) 582-5201, or follow
us on Twitter.

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4. If the election for United States Senator were being held today, and the candidates
were Kirsten Gillibrand the Democrat and Joe DioGuardi the Republican, for whom would
you vote? (If undecided) If you had to choose today, would you vote for Gillibrand or
DioGuardi? (This table includes Leaners)

LIKELY VOTERS.........................
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom

Gillibrand 55% 20% 87% 49% 51% 59%

DioGuardi 34 72 6 36 39 28
SMONE ELSE(VOL) - - - 1 - -
WLDN'T VOTE(VOL) - - - - - -
DK/NA 11 9 7 14 9 12

RATING ECONOMY Q24 PrtOf Angry with

Better Worse Same TeaPt FedGovQ26

Gillibrand 81% 35% 66% 19% 29%

DioGuardi 11 54 23 64 59
SMONE ELSE(VOL) - - - - 1
WLDN'T VOTE(VOL) - - - - -
DK/NA 8 11 10 17 12

UpSt NYC Sub

Gillibrand 53% 63% 48%

DioGuardi 38 24 39
SMONE ELSE(VOL) - - -
WLDN'T VOTE(VOL) - - -
DK/NA 9 13 13

TREND: If the election for United States Senator were being held today, and the
candidates were Kirsten Gillibrand the Democrat and Joe DioGuardi the Republican,
for whom would you vote?(If undecided) If you had to choose today, would you vote for
Gillibrand or DioGuardi? (This table includes Leaners)

LIKELY VOTERS..
Oct 08 Sep 23
2010 2010

Gillibrand 55 48
DioGuardi 34 42
SMONE ELSE(VOL) - 2
WLDN'T VOTE(VOL) - -
DK/NA 11 9

4a.Is your mind made up, or do you think you might change your mind before the
election?

LIKELY VOTERS.........
CAND CHOICE Q4
Tot KG JD

Made up 77% 76% 79%

Might change 22 24 20
DK/NA 1 1 1

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5. Is your opinion of - Kirsten Gillibrand favorable, unfavorable or haven't you heard
enough about her?

LIKELY VOTERS.........................
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom

Favorable 49% 29% 74% 37% 46% 52%

Unfavorable 24 44 6 29 32 17
Hvn't hrd enough 24 25 19 30 20 28
REFUSED 3 1 1 4 2 3

TREND: Is your opinion of Kirsten Gillibrand favorable, unfavorable or haven't you heard
enough about her?

LIKELY VOTERS..
Oct 08 Sep 23
2010 2010

Favorable 49 43
Unfavorable 24 32
Hvn't hrd enough 24 24
REFUSED 3 1

6. Is your opinion of - Joe DioGuardi favorable, unfavorable or haven't you heard enough
about him?

LIKELY VOTERS.........................
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom

Favorable 27% 48% 11% 28% 32% 22%

Unfavorable 11 4 16 11 10 12
Hvn't hrd enough 61 48 71 60 57 64
REFUSED 2 - 2 1 2 2

TREND: Is your opinion of Joe DioGuardi favorable, unfavorable or haven't you heard
enough about him?

LIKELY VOTERS..
Oct 08 Sep 23
2010 2010

Favorable 27 26
Unfavorable 11 12
Hvn't hrd enough 61 61
REFUSED 2 2

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7. If the election for United States Senator were being held today, and the candidates
were Charles Schumer the Democrat and Jay Townsend the Republican, for whom would you
vote? (If undecided) If you had to choose today, would you vote for Schumer or Townsend?
(This table includes Leaners)

LIKELY VOTERS.........................
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom

Schumer 63% 28% 94% 56% 59% 68%

Townsend 32 69 4 37 38 26
SMONE ELSE(VOL) 1 - - 1 1 1
WLDN'T VOTE(VOL) - - - - - -
DK/NA 4 3 2 6 3 5

RATING ECONOMY Q24 PrtOf Angry with

Better Worse Same TeaPt FedGovQ26

Schumer 90% 42% 75% 23% 29%

Townsend 7 53 22 75 66
SMONE ELSE(VOL) 1 1 1 - 1
WLDN'T VOTE(VOL) - - - - -
DK/NA 2 4 3 3 4

UpSt NYC Sub

Schumer 58% 74% 57%

Townsend 37 23 36
SMONE ELSE(VOL) - 1 -
WLDN'T VOTE(VOL) - - -
DK/NA 4 2 6

TREND: If the election for United States Senator were being held today, and the
candidates were Charles Schumer the Democrat and Jay Townsend the Republican, for
whom would you vote?(If undecided) If you had to choose today, would you vote for
Schumer or Townsend? (This table includes Leaners)

LIKELY VOTERS..
Oct 08 Sep 23
2010 2010

Schumer 63 54
Townsend 32 38
SMONE ELSE(VOL) 1 1
WLDN'T VOTE(VOL) - -
DK/NA 4 7

7a. Is your mind made up, or do you think you might change your mind before
the election?

LIKELY VOTERS.........
CAND CHOICE Q7
Tot CS JT

Made up 85% 85% 84%

Might change 14 14 15
DK/NA 1 1 1

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8. Is your opinion of - Charles Schumer favorable, unfavorable or haven't you heard
enough about him?

LIKELY VOTERS.........................
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom

Favorable 62% 29% 92% 54% 55% 69%

Unfavorable 31 62 4 37 39 23
Hvn't hrd enough 5 6 4 7 5 6
REFUSED 1 3 1 2 1 2

TREND: Is your opinion of Charles Schumer favorable, unfavorable or haven't you heard
enough about him?

LIKELY VOTERS..
Oct 08 Sep 23
2010 2010

Favorable 62 55
Unfavorable 31 37
Hvn't hrd enough 5 8
REFUSED 1 1

9. Is your opinion of - Jay Townsend favorable, unfavorable or haven't you heard enough
about him?

LIKELY VOTERS.........................
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom

Favorable 22% 42% 7% 24% 27% 17%

Unfavorable 12 3 18 10 11 12
Hvn't hrd enough 65 54 74 64 60 70
REFUSED 1 2 - 1 1 1

TREND: Is your opinion of Jay Townsend favorable, unfavorable or haven't you heard
enough about him?

LIKELY VOTERS..
Oct 08 Sep 23
2010 2010

Favorable 22 21
Unfavorable 12 9
Hvn't hrd enough 65 70
REFUSED 1 1

12. Is your opinion of - Eric Schneiderman favorable, unfavorable or haven't you heard
enough about him?

LIKELY VOTERS.........................
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom

Favorable 17% 9% 31% 8% 17% 17%

Unfavorable 7 8 3 8 9 5
Hvn't hrd enough 75 82 65 81 74 76
REFUSED 1 1 - 3 - 2

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TREND: Is your opinion of Eric Schneiderman favorable, unfavorable or haven't you heard
enough about him?

LIKELY VOTERS..
Oct 08 Sep 23
2010 2010

Favorable 17 14
Unfavorable 7 9
Hvn't hrd enough 75 77
REFUSED 1 1

13. Is your opinion of - Dan Donovan favorable, unfavorable or haven't you heard enough
about him?

LIKELY VOTERS.........................
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom

Favorable 9% 15% 8% 6% 10% 9%

Unfavorable 4 4 4 4 7 2
Hvn't hrd enough 85 79 87 90 83 87
REFUSED 2 3 1 1 1 2

TREND: Is your opinion of Dan Donovan favorable, unfavorable or haven't you heard enough
about him?

LIKELY VOTERS..
Oct 08 Sep 23
2010 2010

Favorable 9 9
Unfavorable 4 5
Hvn't hrd enough 85 86
REFUSED 2 1

14. If the election for State Attorney General were being held today, and the candidates
were Eric Schneiderman the Democrat and Dan Donovan the Republican, for whom would you
vote? (If undecided) If you had to choose today, would you vote for Schneiderman or
Donovan? (This table includes Leaners)

LIKELY VOTERS.........................
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom

Schneiderman 43% 12% 76% 30% 40% 46%

Donovan 32 67 7 36 36 28
SMONE ELSE(VOL) 1 - - 3 2 -
WLDN'T VOTE(VOL) - - - - - -
DK/NA 24 21 16 31 22 25

UpSt NYC Sub

Schneiderman 37% 54% 40%

Donovan 35 24 39
SMONE ELSE(VOL) 1 1 2
WLDN'T VOTE(VOL) - - -
DK/NA 28 21 20

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TREND: If the election for State Attorney General were being held today, and the
candidates were Eric Schneiderman the Democrat and Dan Donovan the Republican, for
whom would you vote?(If undecided) If you had to choose today, would you vote for
Schneiderman or Donovan? (This table includes Leaners)

LIKELY VOTERS..
Oct 08 Sep 23
2010 2010

Schneiderman 43 37
Donovan 32 36
SMONE ELSE(VOL) 1 1
WLDN'T VOTE(VOL) - -
DK/NA 24 27

14a. Is your mind made up, or do you think you might change your mind before the
election?

LIKELY VOTERS.........
CAND CHOICE Q14
Tot ES DD

Made up 60% 60% 60%

Might change 39 40 39
DK/NA 1 1 1

15. Is your opinion of - Thomas DiNapoli favorable, unfavorable or haven't you heard
enough about him?

LIKELY VOTERS.........................
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom

Favorable 23% 18% 27% 21% 26% 20%

Unfavorable 11 14 10 10 15 7
Hvn't hrd enough 65 67 63 64 58 71
REFUSED 2 1 - 4 1 3

TREND: Is your opinion of Thomas DiNapoli favorable, unfavorable or haven't you heard
enough about him?

LIKELY VOTERS..
Oct 08 Sep 23
2010 2010

Favorable 23 21
Unfavorable 11 11
Hvn't hrd enough 65 66
REFUSED 2 1

16. Is your opinion of - Harry Wilson favorable, unfavorable or haven't you heard enough
about him?

LIKELY VOTERS.........................
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom

Favorable 7% 9% 7% 6% 9% 6%
Unfavorable 3 1 3 2 4 1
Hvn't hrd enough 90 90 89 91 87 93
REFUSED 1 - - 1 1

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TREND: Is your opinion of Harry Wilson favorable, unfavorable or haven't you heard
enough about him?

LIKELY VOTERS..
Oct 08 Sep 23
2010 2010

Favorable 7 7
Unfavorable 3 1
Hvn't hrd enough 90 91
REFUSED 1 1

17. If the election for State Comptroller were being held today, and the candidates were
Thomas DiNapoli the Democrat and Harry Wilson the Republican, for whom would you vote?
(If undecided) If you had to choose today, would you vote for DiNapoli or Wilson?
(This table includes Leaners)

LIKELY VOTERS.........................
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom

DiNapoli 49% 17% 80% 38% 46% 51%

Wilson 31 65 7 34 37 24
SMONE ELSE(VOL) 1 - - 2 1 1
WLDN'T VOTE(VOL) - - - - - -
DK/NA 20 19 13 27 16 23

UpSt NYC Sub

DiNapoli 41% 54% 55%

Wilson 37 23 30
SMONE ELSE(VOL) 2 1 -
WLDN'T VOTE(VOL) - - -
DK/NA 20 23 14

TREND. If the election for State Comptroller were being held today, and the candidates
were Thomas DiNapoli the Democrat and Harry Wilson the Republican, for whom would you
vote? (If undecided) If you had to choose today, would you vote for DiNapoli or Wilson?
(This table includes Leaners)

LIKELY VOTERS..
Oct 08 Sep 23
2010 2010

DiNapoli 49 46
Wilson 31 30
SMONE ELSE(VOL) 1 -
WLDN'T VOTE(VOL) - -
DK/NA 20 24

17a. Is your mind made up, or do you think you might change your mind before the election?

LIKELY VOTERS.........
CAND CHOICE Q17
Tot TD HW

Made up 60% 60% 61%

Might change 38 39 37
DK/NA 1 1 2

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19. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Kirsten Gillibrand is handling her job as
United States Senator?

LIKELY VOTERS.........................
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom

Approve 52% 28% 78% 46% 46% 58%

Disapprove 34 61 12 40 41 27
DK/NA 14 11 10 14 13 15

20. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Charles Schumer is handling his job as
United States Senator?

LIKELY VOTERS.........................
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom

Approve 64% 33% 92% 57% 58% 71%

Disapprove 33 63 6 39 40 25
DK/NA 3 4 2 4 2 4

26. I am going to mention four phrases and ask you which one best describes how you feel
about the way the federal government works. Do you feel enthusiastic, satisfied but not
enthusiastic, dissatisfied but not angry, or angry?

LIKELY VOTERS.........................
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom

Enthusiastic 2% - 5% 1% 1% 3%
Sat/Not enthusiastic 23 11 37 15 21 24
Dis/Not angry 43 45 45 41 43 44
Angry 30 44 12 40 35 26
DK/NA 1 - 1 4 1 2

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