Governor Kathy Hochul's once-commanding lead over Republican Bruce Blakeman has eroded by half in three months, collapsing from 26 points in January to just 13 points, according to the latest Siena Research Institute poll . The result marked a 7-point tightening from February, as independents shifted toward Blakeman even as Hochul's favorability and job approval ratings held steady. New York , long viewed as one of the most Democratic states in the nation, has become increasingly competitive