1999. That’s the last time longtime New York Democrat Chuck Schumer has faced this much hatred while serving in office — including from his own party.
According to a Marist poll released today, Schumer is now facing his lowest approval ratings since he first set foot in the upper chamber back in 1999.
Schumer’s job approval has plummeted among New York residents, with just under three in four holding a “poor” or “fair” view of him — his worst mark since he took office in 1999, according to a Marist poll.
The shocking poll found that 41% percent of voters surveyed said Schumer is doing a “poor” job in office while 24% gave him a “fair” approval rating.
Meanwhile, only 8% of New York voters said Schumer is doing an “excellent” job, and 19% said he’s doing a “good” job in office.
In other words, Schumer is only viewed “positively” by less than 25% of his New Yorkers, who has continuously served in elected office since 1975.
Schumer’s overall approval rating is down 34% from 2025, according to the poll.
The biggest swing in Schumer’s approval came from Republicans who jumped from 69% to 84% in rating the leader’s job as “fair” or “poor.”
However, Democrats also notably increased their criticism of Schumer from 46% to 50%.
Schumer’s free-falling popularity comes on the heels of a partial government shutdown that is entering its second week, impacting agencies that operate under the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
In late 2025, Schumer was the target of the longest government shutdown in recorded history, narrowly surviving with many Democrats calling for Schumer to step aside at the time.
Several House Democrats publicly called for Schumer’s removal as leader during last year’s “Schumer Shutdown.”
“Senator Schumer is no longer effective and should be replaced. If you can’t lead the fight to stop healthcare premiums from skyrocketing for Americans, what will you fight for?” Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) said.
The government funding deal “is another example of why we need new leadership. If Chuck Schumer were an effective leader, he would have united his caucus to vote ‘No’ tonight and hold the line on healthcare,” said Rep. Seth Moulton (D-Mass.), who is running for Senate.
“The Democratic Party needs leaders who fight and deliver for working people. Schumer should step down,” Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.) said.
Socialist Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D.N.Y.) has openly criticized Schumer since last year’s shutdown, and it has been speculated that she is planning to challenge Schumer in the 2028 Democratic primary.
“I think what is so important for folks to understand is that this problem is bigger than one person, and it actually is bigger than the minority leader in the Senate,” Ocasio-Cortez told reporters last November.
“You had eight Senate Democrats who coordinated their own votes on this. A leader is a reflection of the party, and Senate Democrats have selected their leadership to represent them. And so the question needs to be bigger than just one person.”
Empire State voters also handed Schumer’s fellow New York Democrat, Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, her lowest job approval rating in more than 15 years, according to the survey.