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Rep. Elise Stefanik, a prominent figure within House Republican leadership and a previous candidate for the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations position, is reportedly contemplating a gubernatorial campaign in New York, according to a source familiar with her plans.
WASHINGTON — The potential candidacy of Rep. Elise Stefanik for the governorship of New York has come into focus, as noted by a close associate. Stefanik, who has emerged as a significant defender of former President Donald Trump, has been speculated to challenge the current Democratic governor, Kathy Hochul, who is seeking reelection following her victory in 2022.
The individual providing this information requested anonymity to share insights about internal discussions. Stefanik’s nomination for the UN ambassador role was recently rescinded due to apprehensions regarding the potential vacancy of a critical Republican seat in the House, especially given the party’s slim majority.
In a recent statement on his platform Truth Social, Trump extolled Stefanik, declaring, “Congresswoman Elise Stefanik is GREAT!!!”
Should Stefanik formally enter the race, she may contend against Rep. Mike Lawler in a Republican primary, as Lawler has indicated interest in running for some time.
Kevin Donohoe, a spokesperson for the Democratic Governors Association, commented on the anticipated primary dynamics, suggesting that the competition among Republicans is likely to be intense, as candidates vie to demonstrate their allegiance to Trump while being disconnected from the sentiments of New Yorkers.
The last Republican to hold the office of governor in New York was George Pataki, who served three terms from 1995 to 2007. In the recent 2022 election, Lee Zeldin, who previously represented Long Island in Congress and is now the head of the federal Environmental Protection Agency, came close to defeating Hochul in what would have been a remarkable upset in a historically Democratic stronghold.
On the Democratic side, Hochul is not guaranteed a smooth path to nomination, as her lieutenant governor, Antonio Delgado, expressed earlier this year that he would not seek reelection with her, possibly indicating his own interest in running for governor. Additionally, Rep. Ritchie Torres is rumored to be contemplating a run and has emerged as a vocal critic of Hochul.
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Izaguirre reported from Albany, New York.
Source
abcnews.go.com