Overview
- Stefanik debuted a launch video centered on affordability and linked Gov. Kathy Hochul to New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani, while omitting any mention of President Trump.
- Hochul’s campaign responded within minutes with a video highlighting Stefanik’s ties to Trump and the governor posted, “My message to Trump’s ‘top ally’ — bring it on.”
- Stefanik’s team said she has endorsements from more than half of New York’s Republican county chairs as well as state party chair Ed Cox, though Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman is weighing a run.
- Polling remains unsettled, with a September Siena survey showing Hochul well ahead and an October Manhattan Institute poll indicating a one-point Stefanik edge, alongside a close internal poll from Stefanik allies.
- Advisers say Stefanik will intensify Mamdani-focused messaging to court independents and moderate Democrats, seizing on Hochul’s public support for the mayor-elect.