Stefanik raises millions for to-be-announced run for governor after Mamdani primary victory

Republican Rep. Elise Stefanik is planning to launch a campaign for governor, and though there is no timeline yet for an announcement, a source familiar with her thinking said that “millions and millions of dollars” in donations from Republicans and Democrats have been pledged to her eventual campaign in the wake of Assembly Member Zohran Mamdani’s win in the New York City Democratic mayoral primary. The news that Stefanik is preparing to launch her run for governor was first reported by The Hill.

When she announces, Stefanik will be the first Republican to enter the gubernatorial primary, though Rep. Mike Lawler and Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman are also rumoured to be eyeing runs. Lawler had previously said he would announce his campaign intentions in June, but the month is nearly at its end. Stefanik is expected to lead the Republican field, and polling has shown that she would be competitive with Gov. Kathy Hochul in a general election. The North Country lawmaker criticized this year’s state budget and the Democratic-controlled state Legislature’s conduct in a visit to Albany earlier this month.

Republicans have already tried to use Mamdani’s win on Tuesday as a cudgel against Democrats in New York and across the country, owing to his democratic socialist politics and fierce criticism of Israel.