Elise Stefanik will officially enter the 2026 New York governor’s race on Friday, after months of hinting at a challenge to Gov. Kathy Hochul, according to the Times Union.
She’s already toured the state to rally Republican support and pumped over $500,000 into local races through her PAC. Internal GOP polling suggests a tighter race than public surveys showing Hochul with a wide lead.
Stefanik, a Trump ally and top House Republican, plans to focus on crime, high costs, and antisemitism. She enters the race as the GOP’s presumed nominee, with no primary planned.
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