Stefanik Would Likely Be Republican Candidate For NY Governor If She Runs, Poll Shows

Rep. Elise Stefanik would likely be the Republican candidate for New York governor should she decide to run in next year's election, a new poll shows.

Concretely, Stefanik would get 44% of the vote among GOP voters, a significant difference compared to the runner up, lower Hudson Valley Rep. Mike Lawler (7%). Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman would get 5%, added the survey, conducted by Republican pollster Landon Wall with GrayHouse.

Stefanik, who has a higher profile given her status as a national lawmaker and close Donald Trump ally, is better known than her potential competitors. 56% of those surveyed said they have a favorable view of her, while only 9% hold an unfavorable one.

Stefanik is considering a run for the position after her nomination for UN ambassador was abruptly pulled by the Trump administration given the GOP's narrow advantage in the House of Representatives.

Axios reported that Stefanik was "crushed and scrambled to reverse Trump's decision before he announced it on Truth Social," but the president refused to take any chances as Republicans currently hold a 218-213 majority in the House of Representatives, the smallest margin since 1931.

Stefanik may have hinted at a potential run, recently saying it was as a result of a "combination of the New York corruption that we're seeing under Kathy Hochul, special elections and the House margin."

On the Democrats' side, those who have shown intention to run for office are incumbent Kathy Hochul, Rep. Ritchie Torres and Vice Governor Antonio Delgado. A recent poll by Data for Progress showed Hochul with a large lead, getting just over half of the support (51%) from prospective voters. Torres got 11%, the same amount as Delgado, while 26% said they were not sure who they would support.