Latest news with #Stefanik
Yahoo
6 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Could this top Trump ally break Republican's 2-decade losing streak in this key state?
EXCLUSIVE: STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Republican Rep. Elise Stefanik, headlining a local GOP fundraising dinner in this MAGA stronghold in Democrat-dominated New York City, sent a hint of her potential political intentions. "Are we ready to fire Kathy Hochul next year?" said the six-term congresswoman from a largely rural, red-leaning district in Upstate New York, drawing loud cheers at the Staten Island GOP's annual Lincoln Day Dinner. Hochul, blue-state New York's Democrat governor, is running for re-election next year for a second four-year term. And Stefanik, who is a member of the House GOP's leadership, is the most high-profile Republican to seriously consider taking on Hochul in the 2026 elections. New York Gov Hochul Facing Primary Challenge From Her Own Lieutenant Governor Pointing to next year's battle, Stefanik said the eventual GOP nominee taking on Hochul "needs to be the toughest fighter, who has taken on the media, who has taken on the radical left, who has taken on the naysayers, and who is a proven winner." Read On The Fox News App It sounded like Stefanik, who early in her congressional tenure was seen as an establishment Republican but who has become a top ally of President Donald Trump and a MAGA champion, was talking about herself. Head Here For The Latest Fox News Reporting, Analysis, Opinion On Elise Stefanik Stefanik, in a national exclusive interview with Fox News Digital ahead of her appearance at the Staten Island GOP event, said she's "proud to be" one of Trump's top supporters in the House. "I stepped up to deliver President Trump's agenda that is unleashing American energy [independence], securing the border, cutting taxes for New Yorkers, specifically the state and local tax deduction," she touted. "I am very close to President Trump. I chaired his campaign in New York. I was the first Republican member to endorse him." Stefanik highlighted that she and the president "talk about a lot of different things. He's paying close attention to New York. He knows that New York state needs new leadership, strong Republican leadership." And Stefanik said she "would be honored to have his support" if she pulls the trigger and launches a 2026 Republican gubernatorial campaign in the Empire State. It's been 23 years since a Republican won a gubernatorial election in heavily blue New York. You have to go all the way back to former Gov. George Pataki's second re-election victory in 2002. But Hochul will likely face a very competitive re-election. More Polling Problems For This Blue-state Democrat Governor Facing Re-election Next Year Hochul was the state's lieutenant governor when, in August 2021, she was sworn in as New York's first female governor after three-term Democrat Gov. Andrew Cuomo resigned in disgrace amid multiple scandals. She defeated then-Rep. Lee Zeldin by just over six points in 2022 to win a full four-year term. But Zeldin's showing was the best by a Republican gubernatorial nominee since Pataki won re-election to a third term in 2002. Meanwhile, Trump, who lost New York by 23 points in the 2020 presidential election, trimmed his deficit by 10 points last November. While Hochul's approval ratings in a recent Siena College poll were holding slightly in positive territory, the survey indicated a majority of New Yorkers would still prefer someone else to win the 2026 election for governor of the Empire State. According to the poll, which was conducted May 12-15, 36% of registered voters in New York state said they would vote to re-elect Hochul to a second four-year term, with a majority (55%) saying they wanted someone else. Stefanik, in her Fox News Digital interview, reiterated her argument that Hochul is "the worst governor in America." And she highlighted that "we need a candidate who will speak and reach out to New Yorkers of all political stripes. I've done that in my congressional district. When I first ran for Congress, I was the underdog. No one in my family is political. I grew up in a small-business family. I flipped a district from Democrat to Republican, and we've won it by double digits ever since." If she decides to launch a gubernatorial campaign, Stefanik may not have the GOP primary to herself. Republican Rep. Mike Lawler, who's in his second term representing a key swing congressional district that covers a large swath of New York City's northern suburbs, is mulling a 2026 GOP run for governor. "I think Kathy Hochul is the most feckless, incompetent governor in America," Lawler said in a Fox News Digital interview in April. Lawler has said that he'll make a decision on whether to run for governor or for re-election this month. But Trump last month endorsed Lawler for re-election, a likely sign that the president would rather have the congressman seek re-election as the House GOP fights to protect its razor-thin majority in the chamber rather than seek the governor's office. Another Trump supporter, Nassau County executive Bruce Blakeman, has also mulled a run for governor. Asked about a potential GOP primary for governor, Stefanik said, "I think Republicans will work it out. We know how important it is to unify again." "I work very well with all of my colleagues, including those who are considering, but I think we'll work it out on the Republican side," she added. But the Democratic Governor's Association (DGA), in a memo, argued, "The Republican nomination in New York will be decided by one person: Donald Trump." And the DGA argued that the GOP race "has already grown fractious and messy." Stefanik was interviewed about an hour after news broke that Hochul would face a primary challenge from her own lieutenant governor. New York Lt. Gov. Anthonio Delgado on Monday announced his bid to try and oust his boss as the Democrats' nominee in next year's election in a rare move by a lieutenant governor to primary challenge a sitting incumbent. Delgado, in a video announcing his candidacy, took a jab at his boss, saying, "What we need right here in New York is bold, decisive, transformational leadership." Recent polls indicate that Hochul enjoys a wide lead over Delgado and Rep. Richie Torres, who's also mulling a primary challenge, in the Democrat gubernatorial nomination race. The DGA praised Hochul in a statement after Delgado's announcement. "Governor Kathy Hochul is a proven leader with a strong record of delivering for New Yorkers: The Democratic Governors Association is 100 percent behind Governor Hochul as she continues to deliver for New York, take on Donald Trump, and build the operation it will take to beat Republicans up and down the ballot in 2026," DGA executive director Meghan Meehan-Draper wrote. But Stefanik said the news of the primary challenge backed up her arguments. "I dubbed Kathy Hochul the worst governor in America because it's true. It's not just Republicans. It's independent and Democrat voters as well across this state who understand that she has failed, she has delivered catastrophic failed policies in New York," Stefanik said. And Stefanik added that "this is her hand-picked lieutenant governor that she chose that is now primarying Kathy Hochul, and it is because she failed at her job." Asked if the news would push her closer to running for governor, Stefanik said, "I am taking a close look. It's why I'm crisscrossing the state. I am on Staten Island today … I'll be in Erie County, Suffolk County, Albany County, New York City. I've been all over the place and that will continue." "I will be making my decision over the coming months," she article source: Could this top Trump ally break Republican's 2-decade losing streak in this key state?
Yahoo
6 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Elise Stefanik unveils new PAC as New York governor's race buzz grows
House Republican Leadership Chairwoman Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., is unveiling a new political fundraising machine Wednesday as she continues to generate buzz as a potential 2026 New York gubernatorial candidate. Stefanik is eyeing a potential bid for the governor's mansion in Albany. She told a Republican crowd in Staten Island Monday she was "strongly considering" entering the race. Her new state political action committee, Save New York, appears aimed at further cementing her status as a heavyweight in Empire State GOP politics. Meet The Trump-picked Lawmakers Giving Speaker Johnson A Full House Gop Conference "Kathy Hochul is the worst bovernor in America, and she is leading a failed Democrat Party. After years of failed single-party Democrat rule in New York, it has never been more clear that we need strong, commonsense Republican leadership in New York," Stefanik said in a statement. She said Save New York "will focus on supporting Republican candidates and campaigns in local elections this November to build the groundwork for 2026." Read On The Fox News App Mike Johnson, Donald Trump Get 'Big, 'Beautiful' Win As Budget Passes House "I am proud of the strong support my political team has developed over the past decade due to the generous support from New York voters and donors who have built our political apparatus into a fundraising and political juggernaut to deliver policies that benefit hardworking New York families," Stefanik said. The New York Republican has been a key ally to President Donald Trump since his first term in the White House. Trump had appointed her ambassador to the United Nations in his second term, and she was poised to sail through the confirmation process before concerns about the House GOP's razor-thin majority forced Stefanik to bow out of contention. Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., appointed Stefanik chairwoman of House GOP Leadership after she gave up her role as House GOP Conference chair for the Trump administration. In the House, she's been a leader on issues like antisemitism on college campuses, playing a key role in Republicans' investigation of anti-Israel protests on Ivy League campuses. Stefanik is one of two House Republicans considering a bid for New York governor. Rep. Mike Lawler, R-N.Y., one of three House GOP lawmakers representing districts former Vice President Kamala Harris won in 2024, has openly toyed with his own gubernatorial effort. Trump recently endorsed Lawler for re-election in his House article source: Elise Stefanik unveils new PAC as New York governor's race buzz grows
New York Post
9 hours ago
- Business
- New York Post
Rep. Elise Stefanik launches PAC to juice GOP fundraising in New York after hinting at gubernatorial run
WASHINGTON — Upstate Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY) launched a political action committee (PAC) on Wednesday to help juice donations for Republican candidates in statewide and local races, adding another source of fundraising to draw from should she jump into the 2026 governor's race. The Save New York PAC will help fund 'strong, commonsense Republican leadership' in 'local elections this November to build the groundwork for 2026,' Stefanik said in a statement, before ripping Democratic incumbent Gov. Kathy Hochul as 'the worst governor in America.' 'I am proud of the strong support my political team has developed over the past decade due to the generous support from New York voters and donors who have built our political apparatus into a fundraising and political juggernaut to deliver policies that benefit hardworking New York families,' she added. Advertisement 4 The Save New York PAC will help fund 'strong, commonsense Republican leadership' in 'local elections this November to build the groundwork for 2026,' Stefanik said in a statement. Save New York The PAC will boost GOP candidates who are focused on cutting taxes, supporting school choice, ending so-called 'sanctuary' policies and opposing state bail reform laws as well as 'Defund the Police insanity,' according to its website. Stefanik, 43, has already pulled ahead of potential Republican gubernatorial opponents while narrowing the polling gap between herself and Hochul to a dead heat, according to recent surveys, but has yet to formally enter the race. Advertisement Hudson Valley Rep. Mike Lawler and Nassau County Bruce Blakeman are rumored to also be in the running but haven't announced. 4 The PAC will boost GOP candidates who are focused on cutting taxes, supporting school choice, ending so-called 'sanctuary' policies and opposing state bail reform laws as well as 'Defund the Police insanity,' according to its website. Save New York President Trump withdrew Stefanik's nomination to be US ambassador to the UN in March, keeping her in the House in order to help the razor-thin Republican majority pass a multitrillion-dollar tax, border, defense and energy bill this year. Around the same time, sources spilled that the New York Republican — whose federal campaign funds top $10 million and could be easily transferred for a statewide race — was being 'approached by major donors, New York GOP leadership and Trumpworld to run for governor.' Advertisement Stefanik told The Post in April that she was 'in the strongest position to defeat' Hochul, which would make her the first Republican leader of New York state since former Gov. George Pataki left office in 2006. 4 Stefanik told The Post in April that she was 'in the strongest position to defeat' Hochul, which would make her the first Republican leader of New York state since former Gov. George Pataki left office in 2006. The Democratic governor shot back in a CNN interview later: 'I look forward to that fight. No matter who it is. It's not settled yet, but I say bring it on.' On Tuesday, Stefanik delivered a speech to a group of Staten Island Republicans saying that New Yorkers were about ready to 'fire' Hochul for failed immigration policies, along with a punishing $9 per day congestion toll on commuters into Manhattan. Advertisement 'We're seeing an abysmal economic outlook,' Stefanik said at the annual Lincoln Dinner. 'We have the highest tax state in the nation under single-party Democrat rule led by Kathy Hochul. We have sky-high regulations that are running small businesses out of our state.' 4 President Trump withdrew Stefanik's nomination to be US ambassador to the UN in March, keeping her in the House in order to help the razor-thin Republican majority pass a multitrillion-dollar tax, border, defense and energy bill this year. AP Through May and June, Stefanik has been attending dinners and speaking engagements in the Capital District, Mohawk Valley, Erie and Suffolk counties, and New York City. That follows several election cycles where the North Country candidate had helped secure critical wins that allowed Republicans to retake the US House of Representatives — and ran well in front of even Trump in her own district.
Politico
10 hours ago
- Business
- Politico
Elise Stefanik, a potential candidate for governor, focuses on New York's local races
ALBANY, New York — Republican Elise Stefanik, who's considering a run for governor next year, is turning to races close to home. The House Republican on Wednesday will announce the creation of a political action committee to raise cash on behalf of local Republican candidates in New York. She's expected to raise hundreds of thousands of dollars to start. One check will go this week to Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman's campaign through an existing New York GOP account she oversees. Blakeman, like Stefanik, is a staunch ally of President Donald Trump. And like Stefanik, he also has not ruled out a gubernatorial campaign next year. 'Candidates know that when they have the support of Team Elise — this is a highly professionalized team that knows how to turn out the vote and win, and we're going to do that across statewide,' she told POLITICO in an interview. Formation of the PAC — dubbed Save New York — is the latest indication that Stefanik is moving toward a possible 2026 run for governor. Contributions to local-level candidates in otherwise low-profile elections for town supervisor, city council or county office will help strengthen her standing with Republican leaders who will be influential in determining their party's standard bearer against Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul next year. Stefanik indicated the money will be spread widely among Republicans, though there is no fundraising target for the PAC. Ideal candidates are 'someone who is saving New York and they're a Republican on the ballot,' she said. Stefanik has raised millions of dollars over the years to Republican candidates around the country. Her record is mixed. A notable miss was her backing of controversial businessperson Carl Paladino in a House GOP primary over Rep. Nick Langworthy. She has since mended her relationship with Langworthy. Training Stefanik's formidable fundraising network on local races will be a boon for local Republicans who may otherwise struggle for attention and money, Langworthy said. 'It used to be all politics is local. Unfortunately, all politics has become national,' he added. 'If she can focus some of that back on our Republican infrastructure in New York, it will help pave the momentum for what we have to do in 2026.' Stefanik represents a deep red and largely rural House seat that borders Canada. She has a national profile, but is making a clear effort to solidify her ties with downstate Republicans. Stefanik spoke this week at a GOP confab on Staten Island and will be appearing with Republican officials on Long Island as well as Erie County in western New York. She's also set to host a June 17 fundraiser in New York City with state and city Republican lawmakers. The effort is the latest political turn for Stefanik, who withdrew her nomination as Trump's United Nations ambassador earlier this year over concerns her vacancy would damage the House Republicans' razor thin majority. Now weighing a bid for governor, she would have to surrender a safe seat to run statewide in New York, a deep blue state that has not elected a Republican governor since George Pataki's third term win in 2002. Hochul has middling approval numbers, but Trump is deeply unpopular in his native state — further complicating a Republican's chances next year. Hochul's estranged lieutenant governor, Antonio Delgado, announced Monday he will challenge her in a Democratic primary. In addition to potentially facing Blakeman, Stefanik stands to contend against Rep. Mike Lawler, a suburban New York City moderate who is considered by many Republicans to be the most competitive candidate to take on Hochul. A Siena College poll last month showed Stefanik is the early frontrunner with Republican voters over Lawler and Blakeman. Stefanik already has a strong relationship with statewide political leaders whose support will be crucial for the nomination. 'She is moving in the direction of running,' said Conservative Party Chair Gerard Kassar, whose organization will honor her at a June 18 event. 'The Conservative Party would be leaning her way in the event she was planning to run. She's very popular in the party.' Lawler, who was recently endorsed by Trump to run for reelection in his swing House seat, has said he will make a decision on running for governor this month. Stefanik does not have a specific timetable for her announcement, but indicated she will campaign aggressively if she does. 'We don't run for second place,' she said. 'We run to win and I'm going to make the decision in the coming months.'
Yahoo
12 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Rep. Elise Stefanik calls NYC neighborhood ‘Trump country' in fiery speech as she eyes governor race
Rep. Elise Stefanik called Staten Island 'Trump Country' ahead of a fiery speech to local Republicans Monday as she eyes a 2026 run against Gov. Kathy Hochul. The upstate congresswoman bashed Hochul as an 'accidental' governor in comments to the pro-Trump crowd — with some attendees decked out in MAGA hats — at the local GOP's annual Lincoln Dinner. 'Are we ready to fire Kathy Hochul next year in the State of New York?,' she said during her 10-minute speech at the Vanderbilt catering hall in South Beach. 'We're seeing an abysmal economic outlook,' she went on. 'We have the highest tax state in the nation under single-party Democrat rule led by Kathy Hochul. We have sky-high regulations that are running small businesses out of our state.' Stefanik said families were leaving in a mass exodus because of state policies. Stefanik also called the new $9 congestion pricing toll approved by Hochul to enter the Manhattan business district 'anti-worker' and said the governor has 'prioritized illegals' — illegal border jumpers or undocumented migrants. 'That's how out of touch Kathy Hochul is on the economy,' she said. Stefanik told The Post 'things are changing in New York.' President Trump outperformed in Queens and the Bronx,' she said. 'So whether you're on Staten Island or in my district in the North Country — this is Trump country.' Stefanik also said she's launching a 'Save New York' political action committee to help Republicans win elections. Staten Island GOP chair Mike Tannousis said Stefanik received a 'rock star welcome' from the party after she was introduced by popular local Republican Rep. Nicole Malliotakis. 'Elise has the wit, the know-how and fundraising ability to run for governor,' Tannousis said. Other sources said the island GOP would support Stefanik in a primary for governor, if she is Trump's candidate. Hudson Valley Rep. Michael Lawler and Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman are two other Republicans eyeing a run for governor. A representative for the state Democratic Party, responding on Hochul's behalf, dismissed Stefanik's criticism. 'Governor Hochul is putting money back in New Yorkers' pockets with inflation refund checks and middle-class tax cuts while Stefanik's economic agenda is raising costs for New Yorkers,' said Dem Party spokesman Addison Dick. 'Stefanik is another DC Republican proving her loyalty to Trump by backing a destructive trade war and cuts to health care that hurt New York families.'
