A Siena poll of New York voters released Monday shows U.S. senator
Kirsten Gillibrand leading her potential rival Harold Ford Jr. by 26
points, with a margin of 42%-16%.

The results arrive as Ford prepares to announce soon whether he will or will not challenge the appointed senator in the Democratic primary.

According to the New York Daily News, Gillibrand improved her standing among New Yorkers in the latest poll, with 34% viewing her favorably and 28% unfavorably, compared to 30% favorably and 32% unfavorably about a month ago.

Gillibrand, who has emerged as an outspoken proponent of repealing the military’s “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy since taking office last year, still faces tough odds against a theoretical Republican opponent, former governor George Pataki. According to the Daily News, Pataki, who has shown no sign of interest in the Senate seat, leads Gillibrand by 47%-41% among likely voters, compared to 51%-38% in January.