Governor Kathy Hochul’s once-commanding lead over Republican Bruce Blakeman has eroded by half in three months, collapsing from 26 points in January to just 13 points, according to the latest Siena Research Institute poll. The result marked a 7-point tightening from February, as independents shifted toward Blakeman even as Hochul’s favorability and job approval ratings held steady. […] The state has not elected a Republican governor since 2002, but the Siena poll showed movement toward Blakeman for the second consecutive month, signaling potential vulnerability for Hochul if the trend persists into the budget season and broader campaign. …