Another poll and another double-digit lead for Gov. Andrew Cuomo. On Thursday, it was a Quinnipiac University survey showing Cuomo in a head to head matchup against Republican Marc Molinaro with a 23-percentage point lead.
“If you look at the Q-poll, it's about exactly what it was six months ago. I don't about you, but I have a hard time believing that's terribly accurate,” said Molinaro.
And during that time, a former close aide and an associate to the governor were found guilty of corruption —an issue not polled in the Quinnipiac survey, but one Molinaro says will resonate with voters.
“They need to say, ‘After eight years of Andrew Cuomo, no more corruption, no more incompetence, no more tax and spend,’ and finally get a government that they deserve,” said Molinaro.
But Cuomo's campaign has leveled pay to play accusations against Molinaro as well, pointing to a job his wife received from a campaign donor and county contractor. Meanwhile, Molinaro wants to have it all out in a debate.
“He has no desire to defend his record, he has no desire to be questioned about his record, he has no willingness to answer to people,” said Molinaro.
Cuomo so far has not agreed to a debate, however. He was asked about debating Molinaro in September.
His campaign in a statement noted Molinaro did not agree to a debate with Senator John DeFrancisco during his brief run for the GOP nomination. DeFrancisco dropped his bid for governor, however, shortly after Molinaro entered the race.