Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer is facing a political freefall at home. Once a dominant figure in New York politics, the longtime Democrat senator has now hit his worst approval rating since Siena College began tracking him two decades ago — and the trend shows no sign of reversing.

The latest poll finds just 38% of New Yorkers view Schumer favorably, while 50% hold an unfavorable opinion. That’s a three-point drop from June, marking the first time he’s ever been “underwater” statewide in Siena’s polling history. The shift is especially pronounced in New York City, where he’s now at 39% favorable to 46% unfavorable — another historic low.

Even among Democrats, the cracks are showing. His party’s favorability for him has slipped from 55-35% in June to 49-39% now. That decline reflects growing frustration from progressives who believe Schumer hasn’t fought hard enough against President Trump’s second-term agenda and the Elon Musk-led Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).

The discontent first boiled over in March, when Schumer agreed to a continuing resolution that avoided a government shutdown but was seen as a major concession to Republicans. The move prompted some Democrats to openly encourage Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez to challenge him in 2028 — a threat that still looms if his numbers don’t recover.

The fallout was swift and public. Schumer even postponed a planned book tour in deep-blue cities over what staffers described as “security concerns” tied to the backlash. While he’s kept up efforts to oppose Trump — including pushing back against the “Big Beautiful Bill” — Schumer has noticeably lowered his profile, perhaps hoping that time and quiet persistence would help heal his image.

But the new poll suggests that strategy isn’t working. Voter sentiment toward him has continued to sour, aligning with broader dissatisfaction toward Democratic leadership.

Schumer isn’t the only New York Democrat seeing storm clouds. Fellow Senator Kirsten Gillibrand’s favorability now sits at 36-38%, a sharp drop from 44-26% last October. While her slide is driven mainly by Republican and independent disapproval, Schumer’s trouble runs deeper, cutting into his own party base.

At 74 years old, Schumer faces a choice: weather the political storm and attempt a comeback, or step aside and let a younger, more combative Democrat take the mantle. If the current trend continues, the calls for him to bow out could grow louder, especially as the party’s activist wing seeks leaders more aligned with their aggressive, progressive style.

For now, Schumer remains in Washington, determined to hold his ground. But with his standing in freefall and his opponents circling, the next few years could decide whether he ends his career on his own terms — or is pushed out by the very voters who once kept him untouchable.