Stefanik Assembles Campaign Team for Gubernatorial Run
WASHINGTON – Republican Representative Elise Stefanik is rounding up a skilled team of strategists from New York, including some individuals notable for their past roles in opposing Governor Kathy Hochul. Officials indicate that Stefanik is likely to announce her anticipated gubernatorial campaign as soon as next week.
The upstate Republican has enlisted key figures such as Stephen Mischagiliu and Chris Grant, both from Erie County.
Mischagiliu has a background as a journalist covering Hochul, while Grant previously served as the chief strategist for Republican Chris Collins during his successful gubernatorial run in the House back in 2012, which coincided with President Barack Obama’s re-election.
“I’m honored to play a part in removing the worst governor in America to save New York,” stated Maisha Giryu, who held the position of Erie County’s Republican comptroller in the 2010s.
Interestingly, Hochul had her own history in local politics, having served as county clerk and briefly as a U.S. Representative.
Sources noted that Stefanik was meticulous in her selection of Mischagiliu and Grant. “Understanding New York’s regional aspects was crucial for her,” one source remarked. They emphasized that this team is well-equipped to challenge Hochul’s influence in her Western New York stronghold.
Tony Fabrizio, who serves as Trump’s top pollster for the upcoming 2024 presidential race and advises Suffolk County Republican Party Chairman Jesse Garcia, will be in charge of polling. This boosts Stefanik’s campaign presence in a region that’s shifted rightward recently.
Stefanik’s efforts are further supported by encouragement from various Democrats and former Hochul backers who are expressing support for her campaign.
Stefanik intends to publicly declare her candidacy following the New York mayoral election on November 4. Other team members include Alex DeGrasse, who has worked with her for a decade, maintaining a substantial grassroots donor list, and Patrick Hester, along with Tim Saylor, both of whom have notable ties to the Trump campaign.
DeGrasse will take on the roles of chief of staff and chief financial officer for the gubernatorial campaign. The team also has specific roles assigned: Mychajliw will lead rapid response efforts, while Hester and Saylor will offer additional advisory capacity and focus on targeted outreach.
Collectively, this “all-star team” plans to tackle issues surrounding Hochul’s record on crime and affordability, along with recent endorsements of Democratic Socialist Zoran Mamdani for New York mayor.
Stefanik is backed by significant campaign funding, boasting over $13 million across various fundraising channels. This includes close to $11 million earmarked for her main committee, which could facilitate campaign efforts statewide.
Recognizing her Upstate roots and the team’s familiarity with media strategies, Stefanik initiated a political action committee earlier in June, aimed at strengthening connections statewide.
If she succeeds against Hochul next year, she would mark the first Republican governor in New York since George Pataki, who won the governor’s office by capitalizing on discontent with what many perceived as excessively liberal policies after three terms of Mario Cuomo.
The political landscape shifted after Pataki resigned in 2006, leading to two decades of Democratic governance.
Democratic rule continued through Andrew Cuomo’s resignation in 2021, when Hochul assumed the governorship.
In a recent op-ed, Mischagiliu has criticized Hochul, referring to her as a “hypocritical con artist” and highlighting issues during her tenure that he claims created significant challenges for Erie County.
Democratic Party representatives responded, criticizing Stefanik’s record in Washington and Trump’s policies, asserting they would render the state less safe and more expensive.
Despite criticisms, some Democrats seem to be pushing for Stefanik to formally announce her candidacy, offering both financial and verbal support.
A recent poll indicated that registered voters lean slightly in favor of Stefanik over Hochul, showing a close race that could shake the established political norms.
While Stefanik leads in several regions, including Long Island, calculations show she faces tougher competition in areas like the Hudson Valley where Hochul holds an edge.
Looking ahead, Stefanik is expected to leverage Hochul’s support for Mamdani as part of her campaign strategy while preparing for upcoming polls and public responses.
