Paterson, Gillibrand struggle in new 2010 poll

New York Gov. David Paterson (D) and Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) look to be in precarious situations for their 2010 reelection efforts, according to a new, independent poll released Monday.

67 percent of New Yorkers said they would prefer to elect someone else over Paterson in 2010, while a plurality of 37 percent said they would prefer someone else over Gillibrand, according a Siena College poll conducted last week.

14 percent of voters said they would reelect Paterson and 19 percent were unsure; 23 percent of New Yorkers said they would reelect Billibrand, while 39 percent had no opinion.

New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo emerged in the poll as a beneficiary of the Paterson and Gillibrand situation.

In a head-to-head matchup Democratic primary between Cuomo and Paterson, 67 percent would prefer Cuomo while 17 percent would vote for Paterson.

Also tested was former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, a rumored Republican candidate for governor in 2010.

If the election were held today, Giuliani would beat Paterson 56-33 percent with 11 percent of voters undecided.

However, Cumo bests Giuliani 51-41 with nine percent undecided.

Meanwhile, in a 2010 Senate race matchup, Gillibrand beats Rep. Peter King (R) 47 percent to 23 percent, with 30 percent undecided.

The poll, conducted March 16-18, has a 3.9 percent margin of error.