Rep. Lawler Quits NY Governor Race, Clearing Path for Stefanik

Representative Mike Lawler of New York's 17th congressional district announced he will not run for governor in 2026, opting instead to seek reelection to his competitive House seat. This decision clears the way for Representative Elise Stefanik, a prominent ally of President Donald Trump, to pursue the Republican gubernatorial nomination without facing a significant primary challenge. Stefanik, who has yet to formally declare her candidacy, plans to make a final decision after the November elections while focusing on supporting local Republican candidates in the meantime. Republicans see Lawler's withdrawal as an opportunity to unify behind Stefanik and concentrate resources on defeating Democratic Governor Kathy Hochul, whose favorability ratings remain low. Democrats argue Lawler's decision reflects his perceived weakness against Hochul, with some attributing it to his alignment with President Trump. Overall, the upcoming New York governor’s race is shaping up to be highly watched, with Stefanik poised as the leading Republican contender.