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IT’S ON: Politico Report Details Stefanik-Lawler Feud

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IT’S ON: Politico Report Details Stefanik-Lawler Feud

Stefanik’s Potential Run Is Set to “Deepen Her Rift” with Mike Lawler

Politico: “GOP Officials Acknowledge Stefanik Will Have a Steep Hill to Climb” in a General Election

It was just yesterday that Rep. Elise Stefanik said she’s interested in running for governor – and the Republican infighting and feuding is already reaching a fever pitch.

Last night, Politico detailed how Stefanik’s entrance into the race is set to exacerbate “her beef with [Rep. Mike] Lawler.” Stefanik and Lawler share a messy history over a special election to replace her seat in Congress before her failed bid for U.N. Ambassador fizzled out. That personal animosity, according to the report, may be driving Stefanik to float her name for governor and steal the “limelight” from Lawler.

Amidst the drama, even Republican strategists are admitting that Stefanik and the GOP face an uphill battle in New York, which hasn’t elected a Republican governor in more than 20 years. And with Stefanik – who is one of Donald Trump’s closest allies in Congress – in the race, the entire Republican field is set to be focused around courting Trump and backing his extreme agenda of raising costs, gutting health care, and taking away fundamental rights.

This comes as Stefanik, Lawler, and Blakeman have thrown their support behind Donald Trump’s dangerous tariffs and threats that are already hurting businesses and the tourism industry across upstate New York in a desperate bid to win his endorsement.

Politico: Elise Stefanik may run for New York governor. That’s bad news for Mike Lawler.

Key highlights:

  • “Stefanik’s potential bid highlights a rift with her fellow Republican House member.”

  • Upstate Republican Rep. Elise Stefanik is eyeing the New York State Executive Mansion — a move that stands to deepen her rift with fellow New York GOPer, Rep. Mike Lawler.

  • In addition to her gubernatorial ambitions is her beef with Lawler, another potential challenger to Gov. Kathy Hochul. Friction between Lawler and Stefanik has stemmed from the since-scuttled special election to replace her in the deep-red House district after President Donald Trump nominated her for the U.N. post.

  • Now Stefanik’s gubernatorial curiosity is clouding up the Lawler limelight.

  • GOP officials acknowledge Stefanik will have a steep hill to climb. 

Read the entire story at Politico.

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