Rep. Elise Stefanik (RN.Y.) is considering a governor’s bid in 2026.
Stefanik, as President Donald Trump’s UN ambassador, was withdrawn from consideration to significantly increase the narrow majority of House Republicans. She is currently the chairman of the House Republican leader.
Sources tell Fox News Digital that it is being encouraged to be run by Trump’s allies and long-time friends. Stefanik surpassed the president of the Congressional District in 2016, 2020 and 2024. Republicans won in November with 62% of the vote in a strong, conservative district.
On Wednesday, when Stefanik claimed the GOP victory in New York this year, she commented on a Marist poll showing Governor Hochul’s approval number was underwater with New York voters. “This latest bomb vote proves that all New Yorkers already know: they have to fire Kathy Hochul to save New York in 2026. Hochul is America’s worst governor and it’s not nearby.”
Her incompetent, corrupt and radical far-left policies have destroyed our massive states, businesses and families crush high taxes, fleeing control regulations, mismanagement of finances, widespread border and border sanctuary urban policies, and tortists are the last. Hochul said in a statement.
Harvard “is taking more qualified actions than ever,” says GOP lawmakers.
Elise Stefanik and Donald Trump (Getty Images)
“Rep. Elise Stefanik is amazing!!” Trump posted on Truth Social Wednesday morning.
She has $10 million in cash through her business and is believed to be popular among Republican voters in the state. Stefanik was the keynote speaker at the New York GOP event Tuesday night.
At the time of her withdrawal of her nomination, Republican lawmakers said it was an issue of holding the line in Congress.
“I’m proud to be a team player. The President knows that. He and I have multiple conversations today, and we are committed to providing results on behalf of Americans. And, as always, I am committed to providing results on behalf of my constituents.”
Rep. Elise Stefanik explains her “team player” decision to stay in Congress
House Republican Congress Chairman Elise Stefanik, RN.Y. Hearing his speech at the US Presidential Election Conference at the House Republican Conference held at the Hyatt Regency in Capitol Hill on November 13, 2024 in Washington, DC (Andrew Harnik/Whimper-Images).
Trump said he will work on finding alternative picks that have not yet been announced.
“When we move forward with America’s first agenda, it is essential to maintain all the Republican seats in Congress. We must be united to achieve our mission, and Elise Stefanik has been an important part of our efforts from the very beginning.”
“As one of my greatest allies, I asked Elise to stay in Parliament to document historic tax cuts, great work, economic growth, and provide peace through safe border control, energy control, peace through power. The nation,.”
Anyone who won the primary could run in the general election against incumbent Democratic government Kathy Hochul, who fought hard against Environmental Protection Agency administrator Lee Zeldin in 2022, when he was in Congress at the time.
Hochul, Sanctuary Gognletors of Pritzker Walz Gognletors called for testimony before Congress
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul is frank about her thoughts on the controversial fee program. (Photo: Alex Kent/Getty Images)
Stefanik is far from New York’s only famous Republican, considering his 2026 run for the governor.
Rep. Mike Lawler, R_N.Y. , moderates in the second term representing the state’s 17th Congressional District, which covers a large strip of the northern suburbs of New York City, are pondering their bids.
“At the middle of the year, you make a decision at some point, and obviously, you know that we have to go out there, whether we do that.
He said, “I haven’t made a decision yet. Obviously there are a lot of factors in the play, but you know, we’re working through it now.”
Among the other Republicans who weigh on the governor’s run is Nassau County executive Bruce Blakeman. Stefanik is Trump’s major ally and longtime Bethany town manager Carl Hyde Jr.
It’s been 23 years since Republicans won the gubernatorial election in a large state in New York. We need to return to the 2002 government’s second reelection victory for the former George Pataki government.
“The Republican primary in New York is set to be a troubling, malicious race where you can stay in touch with who is the most Trump and the most New Yorkers,” said Kevin Donohoe, a spokesman for the Democratic Governors Association. “All three potential candidates in this race are running to raise the costs of Donald Trump and bring the extreme agenda to take Albany out of fundamental freedom.
File – Bruce Blakeman, executive at Nassau County at Podium, will speak at a press conference at Mineola, New York on Wednesday, March 6, 2024 (AP Photo/Philip Marcelo, File)
However, Hochul’s approval rating and favourable rating remained underwater, hoping Republicans will end their winning streak next year. The governor also faces the potential main challenges from her lieutenant governor, Antonio Delgado.
In 2022, Zeldin delivered his best performance in New York by the GOP governor candidate since Pataki’s 2002 victory. Zeldin, who currently pilots the Environmental Protection Agency in President Donald Trump’s second administration, lost to Hochur with less than six and a half points.
And Trump lost his state to then-President Kamala Harris in the presidential election last November, a 10-point improvement from his loss margin to Joe Biden in the 2020 election.
“What I’m really saying is that we have at least three highly qualified Republican candidates,” a veteran Republican strategist who works in the New York state race told Fox News. “I think that shows her [Hochul’s] Vulnerability. ”
While Stephanik’s departure could still affect the three-seat majority of House Republican razors, GOP leaders hope to plan a massive conservative policy overhaul through the budget adjustment process by the end of this year.
If elected governor, Stefanik will not have to leave the house until the end of December 2025.
Her vote was important to advance President Trump’s budget framework laws earlier this month. The bill appeared to be at risk of failing last week’s tense procedural vote, but Stephanik, the last vote, brought it to the top of 216-215.
Madeline Coggins from Fox News contributed to this report.
Cameron Arcand is a political writer for Fox News Digital at Washington DC.
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