A new poll released by Quinnipiac University shows New York Democrats are backing State Attorney General Andrew Cuomo 4-to-1 in a potential primary matchup against Governor David Paterson.

According to the poll, 61 percent of voters polled now favor Cuomo, up from 57 percent in June. Only 15 percent support Paterson, down from 20 percent in June.

The poll also says Cuomo gets a 62 percent favorability rating among black voters, versus 49 percent for the state's first black governor.

In a general election matchup, Cuomo beats Republican former mayor Rudy Giuliani 48 percent to 39 percent. But when pitted against Paterson, Giuliani beats the Governor 53 percent to 33 percent.

Like Cuomo, Giuliani has not said yet whether he will run for governor.

Meanwhile, Paterson now has a 30 percent approval rating, up slightly from 28 percent in May and June, according to the same poll.

Quinnipiac surveyed more than 1,600 New York State registered voters for the poll, which has a margin of error of plus or minus 2.4 percent.

The survey includes 708 Democrats with a margin of error of plus or minus 3.7 percentage points.