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Newsweek
a day ago
- Politics
- Newsweek
Kathy Hochul's Chances of Losing New York Governor Election: Polls
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Governor of New York Kathy Hochul is up for reelection in 2026, and a new poll has found that she is leading a hypothetical primary race and hypothetical general elections, despite the majority of voters saying they want a new governor. A poll taken by the Siena College Research Institute of 800 New York State voters between June 23-26 found that 49 percent of Democratic voters would vote for Hochul in a primary between her, Lieutenant Governor Antonio Delgado, and Congressman Ritchie Torres. When asked whether they would want to re-elect Hochul or vote for someone else, 55 percent of people said "someone else." However, when pitted against hypothetical Republican candidates, Hochul polled ahead of her opponents. Governor Hochul has been contacted for comment via email. New York Governor Kathy Hochul speaks during a House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform hearing, Thursday, June 12, 2025, at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. New York Governor Kathy Hochul speaks during a House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform hearing, Thursday, June 12, 2025, at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. Julia Demaree Nikhinson/AP Photo Why It Matters Opinions on Hochul largely fall along partisan lines, with 69 percent of Democrats approving of her, but only 18 percent of Republicans sharing the same view. This is likely due to her fighting the Trump administration on New York City's congestion pricing plan and on immigration. Hochul's race comes at a tumultuous time in New York Democratic politics. She is yet to endorse Democratic mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani, distancing herself from his democratic-socialist stance and his opinions on Israel. What To Know The Sienna poll for a Democratic primary put Hochul against Delgado and Torres. Torres has not officially announced his candidacy for governor yet, and has said he would not run if Mamdani wins the mayoral race. Delgado was appointed by Hochul to his position in 2022, but is now primarying his boss. He did not name Hochul in his announcement, saying: "Listen, the powerful and well-connected have their champions. I'm running for governor to be yours." The Republican race is currently being won, per the same Sienna poll, by Congresswoman Elise Stefanik. Elise Stefanik leaving a House Republican Conference meeting with President Donald Trump on the budget reconciliation bill in the U.S. Capitol on Tuesday, May 20, 2025. Elise Stefanik leaving a House Republican Conference meeting with President Donald Trump on the budget reconciliation bill in the U.S. Capitol on Tuesday, May 20, 2025. Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call via AP Images Stefanik was originally President Donald Trump's pick to be Ambassador to the United Nations, but her nomination was pulled. She has raised millions for a gubernatorial run but has yet to make a formal announcement that she will be joining the race. Per the poll, she leads a Republican primary against Mike Lawler and Bruce Blakeman by 35 percent to Lawler's 18 percent and Blakeman's 7 percent. But, she loses a general election to Hochul by 24 points to Hochul's 47 points. What People Are Saying Elise Stefanik posted on X (formerly Twitter) about a fundraiser in New York: "I ask you all today to join us in this effort to SAVE NEW YORK and fire Kathy Hochul in 2026. This is about the people of New York. And it's going to take fighters all across this state to get this done." Kathy Hochul for Governor site: "As Governor, Kathy has taken decisive action to deliver immediate relief to working and middle class families and small businesses, beat back the pandemic, and accelerate New York's economic recovery. In addition, she has reaffirmed New York's position as a national leader in defending reproductive rights and in combating climate change." What Happens Next The New York gubernatorial race is not until 2026. According to the poll, 43 percent of people do not know, or have no opinion on, Stefanik, meaning that as more people get to know her, the polls will likely move.
Newsweek
24-06-2025
- Politics
- Newsweek
Thomas Massie Jokes He'd Like Ceasefire With Trump After Iran Rift
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. After President Donald Trump announced on Monday that Iran and Israel had agreed to a "complete and total ceasefire," a Republican congressman who was at odds with Trump over U.S. involvement in the conflict joked that he would also like a ceasefire with the president. Newsweek reached out to the White House for comment via email on Monday. The Context Republican Representative Thomas Massie of Kentucky skewered Trump after the president authorized U.S. strikes against Iranian nuclear sites without congressional approval. Trump's decision to launch the strikes came after Israel sparked a war with Iran on June 13 with a series of missile strikes that decimated Iran's military chain-of-command and nuclear infrastructure. Israel's strikes threw a wrench into Iran-U.S. diplomatic efforts toward reaching a new nuclear deal. On Saturday, the U.S. entered the conflict by dropping 14 Massive Ordinance Penetrator (MOP) bombs, known as "bunker buster" bombs, and more than two dozen Tomahawk cruise missiles at three Iranian nuclear sites. Trump administration officials said the strikes "obliterated" Iran's nuclear infrastructure, but the full extent of the damage is not known. Representative Thomas Massie exits a meeting of the House Republican Conference in the U.S. Capitol on June 4. Representative Thomas Massie exits a meeting of the House Republican Conference in the U.S. Capitol on June 4. Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call via AP Images What To Know Trump on Monday evening announced that Iran and Israel had come to a ceasefire agreement that would go into effect early Tuesday, though the formal terms of the agreement have not been released. CNN's Manu Raju asked Massie after the announcement whether Trump deserves credit for it, to which Massie replied that it's "too soon to say." "There was another way to do this where you could still get credit, where you do it constitutionally," the Kentucky Republican said. He then quipped: "I'd like a ceasefire between me and President Trump, if I can get the same deal after his bunker busters he dropped on me." Massie has long been a thorn in Trump's side, but tensions between the two men ratcheted up this year, when Massie lambasted the Trump-backed "One Big Beautiful Bill Act" working its way through Congress and slammed Trump over his decision to go around lawmakers to bomb Iran. Trump railed against Massie over the weekend, calling the Kentucky Republican a "simple-minded 'grandstander,'" a "pathetic LOSER" and a "BUM." The president and his team have also made clear that they want Massie out of Congress. "He should be a Democrat because he is more aligned with them than with the Republican Party," White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told Fox News on Monday. Trump's senior political advisers, Tony Fabrizio and Chris LaCivita, also launched a political action committee (PAC) dedicated to unseating Massie, Axios reported. The Kentucky lawmaker told CNN on Monday that he can hold his own against a Trump-backed Republican primary opponent. Trump's "endorsement's worth about 10 points and I can sustain that," he told Raju. This is a breaking news story. Updates to follow.
Newsweek
17-06-2025
- Politics
- Newsweek
Kathy Hochul's Chances of Beating Elise Stefanik For New York Governor
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Governor Kathy Hochul may face a tougher path to re-election in 2026 than many expected, polling suggest. A new poll shows Hochul locked in a tight race with either Republican Representatives Elise Stefanik or Mike Lawler. Why It Matters New York has long favored Democratic candidates in statewide contests, yet recent polls suggest Republicans could be more competitive in 2026 than in past cycles. The close numbers between Hochul and her Republican rivals demonstrate growing voter discontent and could signal a rare opportunity for a Republican to capture the governor's mansion. With New York's large electoral footprint and political influence, the outcome may have ripple effects for both state and national politics ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., leaves a House Republican Conference meeting with President Donald Trump on the budget reconciliation bill in the U.S. Capitol on Tuesday, May 20, 2025 and New York Governor Kathy Hochul... Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., leaves a House Republican Conference meeting with President Donald Trump on the budget reconciliation bill in the U.S. Capitol on Tuesday, May 20, 2025 and New York Governor Kathy Hochul attends the ground breaking for a new Midtown Bus Terminal on May 29, 2025 in New York City. More AP What To Know Governor Kathy Hochul may still hold an edge over Republican Congresswoman Elise Stefanik in a potential 2026 matchup, but new polling paints a picture of a vulnerable incumbent facing growing dissatisfaction—and potentially a stronger GOP challenger in Representative Mike Lawler. A new Harper Polling survey conducted May 7–9 among 600 likely voters, shared with the New York Post, found Hochul leading Stefanik by a wide margin on the initial ballot, 50.1 percent to 38.8 percent. That lead shrinks to just over three points, 46 percent to 42.6 percent, after voters were presented with information about each candidate's record. By contrast, Hochul's lead over Lawler was significantly narrower: 48 percent to 41 percent initially, and just 44 percent to 43.4 percent when candidate records are considered—a virtual toss-up within the poll's ±4 percent margin of error. Regionally, Lawler appears to outperform Stefanik in key battlegrounds. On Long Island, Lawler holds a 20-point lead over Hochul (55 percent to 35 percent), while Stefanik leads the governor 51 percent to 36 percent. In the Hudson Valley, Hochul leads Stefanik by 13 points, but only edges out Lawler by 5 points, a sign of his potential strength in the lower Hudson, where he currently represents New York's 17th congressional district (including Rockland County) in Congress. Both Republicans are neck-and-neck with Hochul in upstate areas including Stefanik's home turf of the Albany and North Country region, where each holds a narrow 1-point lead over the incumbent. In New York City, Hochul maintains a commanding advantage in the poll, leading Stefanik by 41 points and Lawler by 35. Despite these regional variances, the poll highlights deep dissatisfaction with the governor. Only 38 percent of voters polled approved of Hochul's job performance, while 59 percent disapprove. Just 29 percent of respondents said she deserves to be reelected, compared to 66 percent who would prefer someone else. Stefanik has not yet announced a bid for New York Governor. Still, other polls show that she is locked in a tight race with Hochul. Another poll, conducted by right-leaning firm co/efficient between May 1–2 among 1,163 likely voters, found Hochul in a statistical dead heat with Stefanik, leading 43 percent to 42 percent, with 15 percent undecided. That poll showed Hochul with even worse approval numbers: only 30 percent of voters approved of her job performance, and just 23 percent said she deserves reelection, while 63 percent said it's time for someone new. In a hypothetical GOP primary tested by co/efficient, Stefanik was the clear favorite with 56 percent support, compared to just 9 percent for Lawler and 8 percent for Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman. Still, Stefanik's overall popularity remains a potential liability. A Siena College poll conducted May 12–15 found Stefanik with just 25 percent favorability statewide, and only 45 percent of Republicans viewing her favorably. That same poll showed just 36 percent of voters saying they'd reelect Hochul, while 55 percent preferred a different candidate. Even among Democrats, support for Hochul was lukewarm: 51 percent said they would reelect her, while 38 percent wanted someone else. What People Are Saying Denny Salas, former Washington, D.C., consultant, told Newsweek previously: "Anything can happen in politics, and a Republican like Elise Stefanik could have an opportunity to win in New York. I never buy the inevitability arguments when it pertains to party identification enrollments in a particular state like ours. To win, Stefanik will need to secure 35 to 40 percent of NYC, dominate Long Island, penetrate Westchester, and dominate the rest of New York in the rural areas to defeat Hochul." Alex deGrasse, Stefanik senior campaign adviser, told The New York Post: "Elise is the strongest candidate—and frankly the only candidate—who can build upon the 2022 success of pro-Trump candidate Lee Zeldin and finally end the tyranny of Kathy Hochul." What Happens Next The gubernatorial primary and general election campaigns will intensify as candidates formalize their bids. The New York gubernatorial election is scheduled for November 3, 2026, with future polling and campaign activity likely to clarify the competitive landscape.
Straits Times
11-06-2025
- Politics
- Straits Times
US House speaker Johnson will travel to Israel June 22
FILE PHOTO: U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) speaks with members of the media, on the day of a closed House Republican Conference meeting on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., U.S., May 20, 2025. REUTERS/Ken Cedeno/ File Photo US House speaker Johnson will travel to Israel June 22 U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson will travel to Israel to address the parliament on June 22, he said on Wednesday. "Our ties run deeper than military partnerships and trade agreements," Johnson said in an emailed statement. Punchbowl News, which first reported Johnson's plan, said the House Speaker was expected to meet Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem during the trip. Johnson did not provide further details on the planned trip. Johnson announced the visit as Israel presses on with its military campaign in the Gaza Strip, more than 20 months after it launched its offensive there in response to a deadly incursion into Israel led by Palestinian militant group Hamas. On Tuesday, Australia, Britain, Canada, New Zealand and Norway imposed sanctions on far-right Israeli cabinet ministers Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich, accusing them of repeatedly inciting violence against Palestinians in the West Bank. Israel called the action "outrageous" and said the Israeli government would hold a meeting early next week to decide how to respond. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Straits Times
04-06-2025
- Business
- Straits Times
US House plans quick action on Trump cuts to foreign aid spending
FILE PHOTO: House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-LA) speaks with members of the media, on the day of a closed House Republican Conference meeting on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., U.S., May 20, 2025. REUTERS/Ken Cedeno/File Photo WASHINGTON - Republican leaders of the U.S. House of Representatives said on Wednesday they would act quickly on President Donald Trump's request to slash $9.4 billion in spending on foreign aid and public broadcasting, hoping to file a bill as soon as Thursday. "Yesterday the White House sent the rescissions package. It's the first, maybe, of many. We are now putting that in bill format. We'll file that bill, hopefully by tomorrow, and then bring it up to the floor quickly," Representative Steve Scalise, the No. 2 House Republican, told a news conference. Scalise spoke a day after Trump sent Congress his formal "rescissions" memo requesting the elimination of $9.4 billion in spending already approved by lawmakers, opening a 45-day window for lawmakers to decide whether to back Trump in overturning spending plans many of them voted for in the past. House Speaker Mike Johnson, Scalise and other Republican House leaders issued a statement encouraging House members to support the measure, saying it would eliminate wasteful spending. Presidential rescissions packages have not passed in years, because previous Congresses have not wanted to give up their constitutionally mandated control of government spending. For example, lawmakers rejected Trump's request to revoke $15 billion in spending in 2018, during his first term. However, the current Republican leaders of the House and Senate have shown little appetite for opposing Trump, even those who in the past have been strong advocates for foreign aid. The rescissions package can pass with a simple majority in both chambers, so it would not need Democratic votes. Codifying the cuts into law will lessen the chances that reductions in government spending, which have been led by Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) this year, will face legal challenges. Trump began slashing foreign assistance programs as soon as he began his second term on January 20, in his drive to ensure all government spending is in line with his America First policies, eliminate waste and stamp out "diversity, equity and inclusion" efforts. Critics have said the deep cuts in funding by the United States, the world's largest single donor, mean people around the world will die of starvation and from preventable diseases, undermine American leadership, and leave a vacuum for adversaries like Russia and China to fill. Trump himself said last month his administration's cuts to the U.S. Agency for International Development have been "devastating." The cuts include rescinding $496 million of the $4 billion Congress approved for international disaster assistance, $460 million appropriated to assist former communist countries in Europe, Eurasia and Central Asia; $400 million of $6 billion for global health programs like fighting HIV/AIDS, and $142 million designated for UNICEF, the United Nations' children's fund. The package also includes $1.1 billion in cuts to funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
