Overview

• Hakeem Jeffries publicly told reporters “Run, Elise, run,” signaling Democratic belief in her viability as a challenger.
• Stefanik obtained a waiver to join a House Oversight Committee hearing where she confronted Gov. Kathy Hochul over New York’s sanctuary policies.
• At the hearing she accused Hochul of putting undocumented immigrants ahead of public safety and Hochul retorted that Stefanik’s claims were factually inaccurate.
• No Republican has held the governor’s office since 2002, and Hochul is seeking re-election while facing a primary challenge from Lt. Gov. Antonio Delgado.
• Stefanik’s move toward Trump-aligned positions and her withdrawn U.N. ambassador nomination earlier this year have fueled speculation about her gubernatorial ambitions.