Governor Andrew Cuomo is beginning the hard part of his job with strong support across the state, according to an exclusive NY1/Marist Poll that finds most registered voters have a favorable impression of the Democrat.

View the full poll results.

Of those polled, 71 percent say they have a favorable impression, while 17 percent have an unfavorable impression. Twelve percent say they're not sure or haven't heard of him.

In fact, 79 percent of fellow Democrats give Cuomo thumbs up, as do 66 percent of Republicans, 67 percent of independents, even 58 percent of Tea Party supporters.

"The support that he has across party and across regional lines suggests that he's really not a polarizing figure right now," said Lee Miringoff of the Marist Polling Institute. "The gap in New York State is between Cuomo and the approval ratings that the State Assembly and the State Senate are getting. They have really low approval ratings. He's off to a great start."

While the governor has warned of difficult choices, he hasn't yet released a budget to put a face on the sacrifices the state needs to make. Still, voters are optimistic he can bring New Yorkers together.

Of those polled, 63 percent say Cuomo can unify the state and get it working together; 24 percent say no. Twelve percent aren't sure.

They're a bit less optimistic he's changing the way things work for the better in Albany with 58 percent saying he is, 23 percent saying he's not, and 19 percent saying they're not sure.

The poll also shows the governor has a long way to go to change the perceptions of state residents. Just 42 percent feel New York State is going in the right direction; 52 percent say it's going in the wrong direction.

It's far worse when asked about the state Legislature.

Of the Republican-controlled State Senate, just 18 percent rate it excellent or good, compared to 77 percent deeming it fair or poor.

It mirrors sentiments about the Democratic-led State Assembly where 17 percent say it's excellent or good; 78 percent fair or poor.

As for Cuomo's other partners in government, the jury is largely out.

For State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman, 34 percent of those polled gave him a rating of excellent or good; 36 percent a rating of fair or poor. Thirty-one percent said they were unsure or haven't heard of the former state senator.

As for State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli, 34 percent say he's excellent or good; 44 percent fair or poor. Twenty-three percent said they weren't sure or haven't heard of him.

The poll of 751 registered voters has a margin of error of plus or minus four percent.