• Gov. Andrew Cuomo speaks to reporters after receiving the endorsement of Hillary Clinton at the New York State Democratic Convention in Hempstead, N.Y., on Wednesday, May 23, 2018. With the might of incumbency and the state’s Democratic machine at his back, Cuomo cruised toward his formal nomination for a third term on Wednesday. (Sam Hodgson/The New York Times) Photo: SAM HODGSON / NYTNS
Photo: SAM HODGSON
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Gov. Andrew Cuomo speaks to reporters after receiving the endorsement of Hillary Clinton at the New York State Democratic Convention in Hempstead, N.Y., on Wednesday, May 23, 2018. With the might of incumbency and the state’s Democratic machine at his back, Cuomo cruised toward his formal nomination for a third term on Wednesday. (Sam Hodgson/The New York Times) less
Gov. Andrew Cuomo speaks to reporters after receiving the endorsement of Hillary Clinton at the New York State Democratic Convention in Hempstead, N.Y., on Wednesday, May 23, 2018. With the might of incumbency ... more
Photo: SAM HODGSON
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Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro, Republican candidate for governor, and Julie Killian, his running mate for lieutenant governor, acknowledge delegates' applause at the New York state Republican Convention, in New York, Wednesday, May 23, 2018. Delegates endorsed the 42-year-old Molinaro Wednesday at the GOP's state convention in Manhattan. He had faced a challenge for the nomination from state Sen. John DeFrancisco of Syracuse. (AP Photo/Richard Drew) less
Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro, Republican candidate for governor, and Julie Killian, his running mate for lieutenant governor, acknowledge delegates' applause at the New York state Republican ... more
Photo: Richard Drew
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New York gubernatorial candidate Cynthia Nixon prepares for an interview during the New York state Democratic convention, Wednesday, May 23, 2018, in Hempstead, N.Y. (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson)
New York gubernatorial candidate Cynthia Nixon prepares for an interview during the New York state Democratic convention, Wednesday, May 23, 2018, in Hempstead, N.Y. (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson)
Photo: Julie Jacobson
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ALBANY - Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo is in a good position to secure his third term, according to a new poll from the Siena Research Institute that looked at likely voters for November.

The two-term incumbent has a 19-point lead over Republican nominee Marc Molinaro and — heading into a September primary with Cynthia Nixon for the Democratic nomination — he is viewed favorably by 67 percent of Democratic voters.

"She has an uphill climb," Siena spokesman Steve Greenberg said about Nixon. "She is running against a Democrat who Democrats like."

In a direct matchup, Cuomo is backed by 61 percent of Democratic voters and Nixon gets 26 percent.  The breakdown doesn't reflect likely primary voters, who make up a small fraction of turnout in November.

Nixon has made some gains among Democratic voters since April, with her favorable rating increasing seven points to 40 percent. But her exposure on the campaign trail has also increased her unfavorable rating among Democrats from 23 percent to 26 percent.

During this period, Cuomo's overall favorable rating went up two points to 51 percent and the percent of people who think he is doing a "good" or "excellent" job only dropped one point to 40 percent. The relatively steady numbers are encouraging for the governor because Republicans make up a larger percentage of the new poll and his numbers didn't take a significant dip.

Molinaro cut Cuomo's lead against him by seven points from April, with the race now at 56 percent to 37 percent. Most of the movement came in the Republican's numbers, which ticked up six points.

Molinaro is still relatively unknown among the electorate, with 71 percent saying they "don't know" or have "no opinion" about him.

Greenberg wasn't surprised by the lack of movement in the general election matchup since April, as he noted that voters aren't engaged in the race yet and neither campaign is running at full speed.

New York City Public Advocate Letitia James, the Democratic Party's endorsed candidate for attorney general, appears to have the early advantage to be the party's nominee over Leecia Eve and Zephyr Teachout. James is the best known, with a favorable rating of 20 percent, and best liked by Democrats, with a favorable rating of 32 percent.

Additionally, in a threeway race, James racks up 28 percent, Teachout gets 18 percent and Eve is at 4 percent. Nearly half of Democratic voters haven't made up their minds about the primary.

U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, a Democrat, has a 33 percentage point lead over Republican challenger Chele Chiavacci Farley, who is unknown to 91 percent of likely voters in New York.

State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli, a Long Island Democrat, has a 34 percentage point lead over Republican challenger Jonathan Trichter, who is unknown to 91 percent of the electorate.

The poll also indicated that former state Attorney General Eric Schneiderman's favorable rating is at 20 percent, which is down from 37 percent in April. During that period it was reported that he physically beat four women and he resigned from office.

David.Lombardo@timesunion.com - 518.454.5427 - @poozer87