Poll: Clinton leads Sanders by 17 points in New York

The polls say the former New York senator — Hillary Clinton — has a big advantage over Brooklyn native Bernie Sanders heading into Tuesday's pivotal primary in the Empire State.

Clinton hit 57% to Sanders' 40% in an NBC 4 New York/Wall Street Journal/Marist Poll released Friday; a similar poll earlier this week had Clinton up 14 points.

“As the primary approaches, the back and forth between Clinton and Sanders hasn’t dramatically changed the New York contest for the Democrats in the last few days,” said Lee M. Miringoff, director of The Marist College Institute for Public Opinion.

The new poll, released the day after a contentious debate between Clinton and Sanders, indicates that Clinton enjoys a big lead among Democratic primary voters 45 or older.

Also, reports the Marist poll:

"Sanders retains his lead among first-time voters, those under the age of 45, and likely Democratic primary voters who describe themselves as very liberal.  Looking at region, Clinton is ahead of Sanders by 26 points in New York City and 24 points in the city’s suburbs.  Clinton and Sanders are competitive upstate, 49% to 50%, respectively."