Chuck Schumer COLLAPSES to 27% — Historic Revolt Begins

A man with glasses speaking passionately during a public address

Chuck Schumer’s approval in New York has cratered to a staggering 27%, marking his lowest rating in over 25 years and exposing a growing revolt against Democrat leadership even in their own strongholds.

Story Snapshot

Schumer’s job approval plummeted to 27% among New York voters, down from 34% last year—his worst performance since tracking began in 1999
A crushing 65% of New Yorkers rate his performance as fair or poor, with Republicans (84% negative) and independents (65% negative) leading the rejection
Fellow Senator Kirsten Gillibrand also hit a 15-year low at 31% approval, signaling broader voter frustration with New York’s Democrat establishment
Governor Kathy Hochul’s rising approval to 46% stands in sharp contrast, suggesting voters distinguish between state-level results and failed federal Democrat policies

Historic Collapse in Empire State Support

The February 2026 Marist Poll delivers devastating news for Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, revealing that only 27% of New York registered voters rate his job performance as excellent or good. This represents a seven-point drop from 34% approval just one year ago and marks the lowest rating since Marist began tracking Schumer’s approval in 1999. Meanwhile, 65% of voters rate his performance fair or poor, a damning indictment for a senator who has represented New York since 1999 and previously served as Senate Majority Leader until Republicans reclaimed control following the 2024 elections.

Republicans and Independents Drive Rejection

The poll exposes deep partisan divisions fueling Schumer’s collapse, with Republicans expressing overwhelming disapproval at 84% negative ratings—a significant increase from previous years. Independents also turned sharply against the senator, with 65% rating him negatively, demonstrating that his problems extend far beyond predictable Republican opposition. Even among Democrats, Schumer shows weakness, though they remain his only demographic lifeline. This cross-party rejection reflects growing frustration with federal Democrat leadership under the Biden administration’s disastrous policies on immigration, inflation, and government overreach that Schumer championed for years.

New Yorkers Turn on Chuck Schumer (Finally) in Brutal Surveyhttps://t.co/SOCRq9nKxQ

— PJ Media (@PJMedia_com) February 26, 2026

National Numbers Confirm Broader Disaster

Schumer’s New York crisis mirrors his national standing, where RealClearPolitics polling averages show him at just 25.8% favorable versus 46.8% unfavorable ratings. Additional Siena Research Institute polling from January 2026 revealed slight improvement to 39% favorability from December 2025 lows, but Schumer remains deeply underwater with voters. These numbers follow his November 2025 all-time low of 32% favorable and 55% unfavorable in Siena polling. Siena analyst Steven Greenberg noted Schumer is “still digging out from all-time low” favorability, suggesting the damage may take years to repair—if it can be repaired at all given his record of supporting policies that harmed working families.

Gillibrand Shares Schumer’s Pain

Senator Kirsten Gillibrand fares little better in the Marist survey, registering just 31% approval—her lowest rating in over 15 years. This parallel collapse suggests New Yorkers are rejecting their entire federal Democrat Senate delegation rather than singling out Schumer alone. Both senators actively supported the Biden administration’s reckless spending, open border policies, and radical social agendas that left Americans facing inflation, safety concerns, and cultural chaos. Governor Hochul’s contrasting 46% approval rating and commanding leads over Republican challenger Bruce Blakeman demonstrate that voters can distinguish between state-level governance and the federal Democrat disaster Schumer and Gillibrand enabled in Washington.

Election Year Reckoning Ahead

The 2026 New York gubernatorial election year context amplifies the significance of these brutal poll numbers, as they signal potential broader Republican momentum even in traditionally blue New York. Republicans regained Senate control in 2024, demoting Schumer to Minority Leader and ending his ability to ram through partisan legislation unchecked. The Marist data shows voters particularly energized upstate and among suburban moderates who rejected years of Democrat overreach on everything from gun control to illegal immigration amnesty. While Schumer faces no immediate re-election battle, these numbers severely undermine his credibility and influence within the Senate, potentially encouraging primary challenges or reducing his effectiveness as Democrat leader during Trump’s presidency.

Conservative observers point to these numbers as vindication that even deep-blue state voters eventually recognize failed leadership when its consequences hit home. Schumer spent decades building a political machine in New York, yet his loyalty to national Democrat priorities over constituent interests has finally caught up with him. Whether he can recover credibility or will limp through his remaining term as a weakened figure remains uncertain, but one thing is clear: New Yorkers have delivered their verdict, and it is overwhelmingly negative.