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From NBC News: Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., is exploring a bid for governor of New York, according to two sources familiar with the matter.
One of the sources said that Stefanik is seriously considering a run after receiving encouragement from Republicans in New York, members of the Trump world and GOP donors.
New York Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul is up for reelection in 2026.
The potential move comes after President Donald Trump withdrew Stefanik’s nomination to be U.S. ambassador to the United Nations and asked her to stay in Congress instead, where she has been given a new leadership arrangement.
Stefanik has $10 million cash on hand across her various political entities and has outrun Trump in her upstate New York district.
Rep. Mike Lawler, R-N.Y., is also considering a gubernatorial bid.
READ MORE from NBC News.
Hochul is also facing potential challenges within her own party. NBC News notes that Hochul’s lieutenant governor, Antonio Delgado, announced earlier this year that he would not seek re-election, prompting speculation that he may be planning to challenge her in a Democratic primary in 2026.
President Trump wrote on his Truth Social page, “Congresswoman Elise Stefanik is GREAT!!!”
Trump appeared to be reacting to a CNBC interview with Stefanik Wednesday morning about holding Harvard and other elite universities accountable for the antisemitism on their campuses.
WATCH a GREAT long discussion this morning on @SquawkCNBC with @KellyCNBC @JoeSquawk @andrewrsorkin on Harvard and holding higher education accountable – you won’t want to miss this clip! 👀📺 pic.twitter.com/scoaX8Sonr
— Rep. Elise Stefanik (@RepStefanik) April 16, 2025
Thanks POTUS!
America supports holding higher education accountable 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/B43EumiUyy
— Rep. Elise Stefanik (@RepStefanik) April 16, 2025
NEWS: Elise Stefanik exploring a bid for governor in ‘26.
Stefanik has been encouraged by donors & ppl in NY/Trump world to jump into race after Trump withdrew her ambassadorship nomination & is seriously considering.
Rep. Mike Lawler also eyeing a run.https://t.co/3D3s51GhuY
— Melanie Zanona (@MZanona) April 16, 2025
Republican Rep. Elise Stefanik is considering a run for New York governor, according to people familiar with the matter https://t.co/6T8sQe57k6
— The Wall Street Journal (@WSJ) April 16, 2025
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