Blunt-spoken conservative Paladino up by 30 in GOP primary duel for NY House seat: internal poll

A recent internal poll for the congressional campaign of Carl Paladino shows the Buffalo businessman holds a 30-point lead in the Republican primary race in New York's 23rd Congressional District over his opponent Nick Langworthy, the chairman of the state GOP.

Conducted by WPAi, the poll shows that 54% of Republican primary voters support Paladino, compared to 24% who back Langworthy.

Digging beneath the topline number reveals more bad news for Langworthy: His  name recognition and favorability ratings are low, and his support is soft.

A supermajority of GOP primary voters have heard of Paladino, and a plurality of 45% have a favorable opinion of him, according to the poll. In contrast, only 30% of GOP primary voters have heard of Langworthy, and a mere 13% view him favorably. 

One-quarter of the GOP primary electorate say they will definitely vote for Paladino in the Aug. 23 showdown, while just 7% say the same about Langworthy.

"I am thankful and humbled by the massive support the great patriots of Western NY and the Southern Tier have shown me, and we're just getting started," said Paladino. "I am ready to serve this district with all my heart, and the grassroots of this district know it and believe it."

Paladino, with a net worth of at least $100 million, has already committed $1.5 million to his campaign.

The race has caused division within a New York GOP that is poised to perform better in the November midterm than it has in several decades. New York Rep. Elise Stefanik, the powerful House Republican Conference chair, is backing Paladino, which has created friction with Langworthy. As state party chair, Langworthy is a crucial ally of Stefanik's Republican House colleague Lee Zeldin in his campaign to oust New York's unpopular Democratic governor, Kathy Hochul.

"In light of the surging support on the ground and the proof in the polling, it would be wise for my opponent to bow out of this race, stop dividing the party, and go back to the crucial role of helping Lee Zeldin take Albany back from the radical Democrats that have infested our state capital," said Paladino, in pointed reference to the state party chair's obligation to prioritize party unity.

"Or he should resign from his position as NY GOP Chairman," added Paladino, echoing the sentiments of several GOP county chairs around the state, who have previously expressed "mixed feelings" and "confusion" about Langworthy's ability to run for congress while continuing as state party leader.

"This is as big a joke as the polls Joe Biden touts," Langworthy campaign spokesman Bryan Pilgra told the New York Post on Monday after the release of Paladino's polling. "If Carl's up by 30 points, then what are he and his minions so worried about with all their nasty attacks?

"Nick has had huge grassroots momentum since announcing his candidacy, and every day Carl's campaign continues to crater and hemorrhage support. Here's a poll figure — 100% of Republican voters aren't in favor of having a child pornographer on payroll. We have every confidence that voters see the clear choice in this election and Nick Langworthy will be victorious on August 23rd." 

The spokesman was alluding to a Post report last week that Paladino retained a top financial staffer on his development company's payroll after the employee's 2017 conviction for possessing child porn. The employee, Joel Sartori, is also listed as assistant treasurer on Paladino's current campaign.

"Paladino confirmed to The Post that he gave Sartori — who's worked for him for decades — a second chance and kept him on the payroll following his prosecution," the outlet reported.

Paladino was criticized upon announcing his candidacy for a series of controversial comments he's previously made, including calling Adolf Hitler "the kind of leader we need today." He has since apologized for the remark, while denying he meant to convey any type of support for Hitler.

"I understand that invoking Hitler in any context is a serious mistake and rightfully upsets people," he said. "I strongly condemn the murderous atrocities committed against the Jewish people by Hitler and the Nazi's, including toward my own Italian family."

Paladino was also chastised several years ago for making off-color comments about former first couple Barack and Michelle Obama.