Congresswoman Elise Stefanik visited Ontario County this week to celebrate Thanksgiving alongside Republican leaders from across New York. The annual event, hosted by Ontario County GOP Chair and Finger Lakes Regional Chair Trisha Turner, drew over 20 County Chairs and party officials from the Finger Lakes, Western New York, Central New York, and the Southern Tier.
Chairwoman Turner called the event the largest turnout yet for their yearly leadership gathering, noting it as a sign of the growing momentum heading into 2026. She emphasized the early support Stefanik has received from County Chairs across the state and praised her ability to unite Republicans around shared goals.
Congresswoman Claudia Tenney also attended, applauding Stefanik’s understanding of rural life and her support for small businesses and family farms. Tenney welcomed her back to the region and said Stefanik’s presence reflects the urgency many Republicans feel about replacing Governor Kathy Hochul in the next election cycle. She also thanked Chairwoman Turner for organizing the event.
Michael Henry, a Republican candidate for New York State Attorney General, was among those in attendance, as was New York City Councilwoman Inna Vernikov. Their presence underscored what organizers described as a growing coalition of Republican leaders spanning urban and rural districts alike.
Cattaraugus County GOP Chair and Western New York Regional Chair Mark Heberling praised Stefanik’s leadership, citing her focus on affordability, public safety, and energy issues. He said New Yorkers across the state benefit from her advocacy in Washington.
The Thanksgiving gathering, a long-standing Ontario County GOP tradition, gave party leaders a chance to reconnect, exchange ideas, and align on priorities as they prepare for what many view as a critical election year. Stefanik thanked the group for the warm welcome and voiced optimism about the road ahead, saying, “It was an opportunity to hear ideas about how we must SAVE NEW YORK in 2026.”
FingerLakes1.com is the region’s leading all-digital news publication. The company was founded in 1998 and has been keeping residents informed for more than two decades. Have a lead? Send it to [email protected].