New York Republican Rep. Elise Stefanik is gaining support from conservative grassroots organizations in her bid to become the next governor of the Empire State.
Eight conservative advocacy groups in upstate New York endorsed Stefanik's gubernatorial campaign on Tuesday, the Daily Caller News Foundation reported. The representative is vying for the Republican nomination against the Nassau County Executive. Bruce Blakemanwho entered the primary despite state GOP leaders rallying behind the congresswoman's campaign. Both candidates are seeking to unseat Democratic New York Gov. Kathy Hochul in 2026. (RELATED: Elise Stefanik Slams New York's Democratic Governor Over Affordability Crisis)
Groups supporting Stefanik include: Moms for Freedom, Wayne County; Fight for your family, Monroe County; Freedom Seekers of Western New York and Chautauqua County Republican Women; We the people of Cattaraugus County; Upstate Conservative Coalition; New York State Constitutional Coalition, Erie County; and CAWTILE, an organization that opposes wind turbines on Lake Erie.
The New York State Rifle and Rifle Association also supports Stefanik's candidacy for governor.
The conservative grassroots support strengthens Stefanik's argument that Blakeman has no clear path to the GOP nomination. Stefanik has the support of more than 75% of New York's Republican county chairmen, making her the presumptive nominee of the state GOP.
Under New York rules, Blakeman may need to petition to get on the ballot because of Stefanik's overwhelming support among county chairs.
“Upstate conservatives are sick and tired of upstate RINOs trying to come here and tell us how to think and feel while they help ruin our lives,” Dave Buchin, political director and spokesman for the Upstate Conservative Coalition, said in a statement regarding Blakeman's re-election campaign. “This guy has no path to victory, no ID, and Eliza and I have a unique opportunity to turn this state around.”
NEW YORK, NY – OCTOBER 27: Councilman Bruce Blakeman attends the ribbon cutting ceremony for Century 21 Department Store at Green Acres Mall on October 27, 2015 in New York City. (Photo by Mike Pont/Getty Images)
“As a mom and an advocate for parental rights and education reform, I appreciate Elisa. StefanikHer strong stance on improving accountability, moral clarity, choice and parental rights is exactly what New York needs to serve our children and future generations,” said Jennifer Williams, founding chair of Moms for Liberty Wayne County, New York, in a statement obtained by DCNF.
Recent data shows Stefanik as the clear frontrunner in the Republican primary. survey. To Siena survey released Tuesday showed 48% of registered Republicans support Stefanik, while 17% support Blakeman.
However, both candidates are significantly behind Hochul, who is running for a second term despite deep unpopularity. According to the poll, in head-to-head matches, Hochul leads Stefanik 49% to 30% and Blakeman 50% to 25%.
GOP candidates will also have to overcome a huge voter deficit in the Empire State, where Democrats outnumber Republicans by a 2-to-1 margin.
Stefanik and Blakeman are competing for the president's support. Trump, who has effusively praised both Republicans, declined to say which candidate he likes better.
“Everyone knows Eliza. She's doing phenomenally well… and she's running for a little position called governor of New York,” Trump said in the Oval Office on Friday, with Stefanik standing behind him among a group of GOP lawmakers. “She has a damn good chance of making it. That's all I see. I see polls that look really good, and we could use you in New York.”
“She has a little competition with a very good Republican, but she is a great Republican,” Trump continued.
Blakeman argues that his decisive re-election victory in his native Long Island in November shows he will be competitive in the general election against Hochul.
