Governor Kathy Hochul’s backing of Zoran Mamdani hasn’t proved beneficial for him, and it hasn’t helped her much either. Interestingly, it seems to have given Rep. Elise Stefanik an unexpected boost. According to a source, since Sunday, Republican lawmakers have gathered millions in pledges in anticipation of Stefanik’s own gubernatorial candidacy.
An insider shared with Nynext that once Stefanik officially throws her hat into the ring, she’s already seen “hundreds of thousands in donations, with millions more promised.” Notably, a substantial chunk of these donations reportedly comes from Democratic supporters.
While Stefanik hasn’t made a formal announcement yet, there’s a prevailing sentiment in New York political circles that she will join the race following the mayoral election in November.
Stefanik has tapped into funding via Elevate PAC, which supports various congressional campaigns.
Her growing support coincides with recent polling suggesting that her opponent in the mayoral race is significantly ahead—21 points over Andrew Cuomo, to be precise.
Moderates in New York City are starting to recognize the need for a counterbalance to Albany’s initiatives, particularly those proposed by Mamdani, like increasing taxes on the wealthy. The belief is that electing a Republican governor is the best way to do that.
One prominent donor noted the irony of Hochul backing Mamdani, suggesting it showcases a level of political contradiction. “She has supported Mamdani, but her consistent shifts in approach as governor raise questions,” the donor pointed out. They also mentioned shifting their support to Stefanik last year.
“It’s unlikely Hochul will just hand over resources to Mamdani, especially since he’s already shifting the power dynamics. And he’s not even mayor yet,” the insider commented.
Hochul’s enthusiastic backing was unexpected for many, especially after her recent essay in the New York Times. Sources indicate that she framed her support in strategic political terms, perhaps intending to temper Mamdani’s more extreme proposals.
Despite anticipating Hochul’s support, some expected her to push back against Mamdani’s agenda, but that hasn’t happened.
A spokesperson for Hochul didn’t provide comments when approached for a response.
Current polling from Siena shows only 27% support for Stefanik, yet many donors anticipate this will change once she formally enters the race.
A GOP pollster remarked on Stefanik’s extensive donor network, noting interest from a range of backers, including grassroots supporters and real estate moguls who are eager to engage with her campaign.
“Elise is a strong candidate that many New Yorkers may not yet know well,” the pollster mentioned, adding that moderate Democrats and Republicans might be more eager to support her if they learn more about her platform.
Illit Tratt, a seasoned Republican strategist, noted a potential appeal to Jewish voters who might be contemplating a switch to the GOP.
“New York is in a far worse situation now than when Lee Zeldin ran in 2022, even though he came quite close to winning,” Tratt noted, expressing support for Stefanik’s potential run.
Ironically, Hochul’s endorsement may serve to protect her own interests as she faces rising challenges from both the left and right. With recent developments, it might well be the right that poses a greater threat to her re-election than the left does.
