Way Out Front. Hochul enjoys a commanding lead in next week’s Democratic primary. A SurveyUSA poll has her ahead with 54 percent of voters, compared with 18 percent for Suozzi and 11 percent for Williams. The Republican race is tighter, with Zeldin and Giuliani in a dead heat. Wilson and Astorino trail them. In a November matchup Hochul leads all the Republican contenders by more than 20 points. The race for Governor will be 2 way after Cuomo failed to file petitions to run as an independent. He is sitting out the election as he ponders his future. Way Out Front. Hochul is poised to breeze to victory in her bid for a full term !!