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While Governor Hochul Delivers for New Yorkers, New York Republicans Are Stuck in a Messy Shadow Gubernatorial Primary

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While Governor Hochul Delivers for New Yorkers, New York Republicans Are Stuck in a Messy Shadow Gubernatorial Primary 

This week, Governor Kathy Hochul announced a new state budget agreement that takes decisive action on the priorities that matter to New Yorkers: lowering costs, addressing public safety, and investing in New York kids.

 That’s a stark contrast with what her potential Republican opponents have been up to. Elise Stefanik and Mike Lawler have been in DC defending Donald Trump, getting called out by their constituents, and feuding with other Republicans, including House Speaker Mike Johnson. It’s a sign of how messy this very Trump-focused shadow primary has already become – and how out of touch both Stefanik and Lawler are with their constituents.

New Yorkers are taking notice: Lawler was repeatedly confronted at his town hall on Sunday for voting to put Medicaid on the chopping block and standing with the Trump administration over New York on issues like tariffs. And Stefanik faced big protests this week over her support for Trump’s agenda in DC. It’s no wonder the Times wrote this week that “winning a governor’s race in New York State is a long shot for any Republican candidate.”

“While Republicans are stuck in a messy and chaotic shadow primary in DC, Governor Hochul is fighting and delivering on the priorities that matter most to New Yorkers,” said DGA spokesperson Kevin Donohoe. “The contrast couldn’t be clearer: Governor Hochul is lowering costs and making communities safer – while the Republican candidates are fighting over who is the best rubber stamp for Donald Trump’s agenda.”

Read more about the very stark contrast between Governor Hochul and the potential Republican primary candidates: 

 GOVERNOR HOCHUL IS DELIVERING ON THE PRIORITIES THAT MATTER TO NEW YORKERS:

 New York Times: How a $254 Billion Budget Deal Might Become a Battle Plan for Democrats

  • The day after Gov. Kathy Hochul announced the framework for a $254 billion budget for New York State, she sought to deliver a celebratory message in two parts.

  • She visited a preschool and then dropped by the Albany County district attorney’s office, with each stop on Tuesday serving a distinct purpose. To prosecutors, she highlighted how she fought for changes to so-called discovery laws, decreasing the chances that criminal cases might be thrown out because of “some technicality.”

  • At the preschool, she reiterated how the budget, whose passage is now one month late, had become her fight for families. “I said it back in January that this budget will not be completed until I can provide relief for struggling families,” she said.

  • State budgets have always provided a fiscal road map for the priorities of the governor and state legislative leaders. But in New York, the budget can also be a blueprint for an assortment of political imperatives, from criminal justice changes to cellphone bans in public schools.

  • The messaging behind the budget — “your family is my fight” — may well be a preview of her campaign strategy and perhaps one that Democrats might follow in next year’s midterms.

MEANWHILE, ELISE STEFANIK AND MIKE LAWLER ARE ENGAGED IN A NASTY, TRUMP-DRIVEN SHADOW PRIMARY:

NBC News: Republicans urge battleground Rep. Mike Lawler to pass on a run for New York governor

  • Republican leaders are trying to convince Rep. Mike Lawler, R-N.Y., to drop his consideration of a run for governor of New York as concerns over protecting his battleground House seat next year mount, according to four senior GOP sources familiar with the situation.

  • Some advisers close to President Donald Trump also have similar concerns about Lawler’s running for governor, according to two GOP sources familiar with the matter.

  • “I would prefer he not run for governor,” [NRCC Chairman Richard] Hudson told NBC News. Asked whether he has communicated those feelings to Lawler, he said, “Yes.”

  • Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., said he would prefer that both Lawler and Stefanik remain in the House.

  • There’s less confidence among New York GOP sources about how Stefanik would perform in a general election… New York hasn’t elected a Republican governor since 2002. And the political environment could be difficult for Republicans in 2026 given that it will be a midterm year under a GOP president.

  • A high-ranking New York Republican was skeptical that either Stefanik or Lawler could win a general election. “There are 3 million more of them than there are of us,” the Republican said, comparing voter registration numbers.

New York Times: With Her Cabinet Hopes Dashed, Stefanik Considers Her Next Move

  • Ms. Stefanik is doing little to hide the fact that she finds Mr. Johnson to be dishonest. On Tuesday, she publicly called him a liar after he told reporters he was “having conversations” with her and Representative Mike Lawler, another New York Republican flirting with a run for governor, about that race.

  • Under pressure from the White House, Mr. Johnson called her and told her he had a lot of angry members to deal with, according to two people familiar with the exchange. Ms. Stefanik, who was once close with Mr. Johnson and spent part of election night with him in his hometown, Shreveport, La., pushed back and told him bluntly, “I’m the angriest one.”

  • The president has privately and publicly promised Ms. Stefanik a position in his administration down the line.

  • Winning a governor’s race in New York State is a long shot for any Republican candidate, but donors and operatives pressing Ms. Stefanik to enter see it as a win-win for her to challenge Democratic Governor Kathy Hochul. Running in New York would earn her plenty of attention and could set her up for something else down the line.

Fox News: Stefanik undercuts Speaker Johnson in stunning public House GOP spat

  • Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., appeared to accuse Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., of lying about discussing the New York governor’s race with her on Tuesday.

  • Johnson said he was having “conversations” with Stefanik and her fellow New Yorker, Rep. Mike Lawler, R-N.Y., when asked whether he discussed the upcoming gubernatorial election with the two potential candidates.

  • Stefanik cited a Punchbowl News report on Johnson’s comments at the public press conference and wrote on X, “This is not true. I have had no conversations with the Speaker regarding the Governor’s race.”

  • The exchange signaled a stunning public clash between two members of House GOP leadership that comes shortly after Stefanik returned to her House role full-time.

Bloomberg: New Yorkers Boo and Jeer GOP’s Lawler at Circus-Like Town Hall

  • Boos, shouts and insults dominated New York Representative Mike Lawler’s rowdy town hall on Sunday as the GOP lawmaker’s constituents seethed over President Donald Trump and Republicans in Congress.

  • Attendees chanted “blah, blah, blah” as Lawler tried to explain and defend Trump’s tariffs.

  • Many people said they feared cuts to Medicaid, Medicare, and Social Security.

News 10: Peaceful protest held outside Saratoga County GOP fundraiser

  • Peaceful protestors gathered outside a Saratoga County Republican Committee fundraiser Thursday at the Fairways of Halfmoon Golf Course. NEWS10 was not allowed inside the event, but it drew many people inside and outside.

  • Elise Stefanik was a speaker and presenter at the event. Protestors spoke out against recent policies made by the Trump administration. They said they want those who represent them in government to do better.

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