Latest news with #Stefanik
New York Post
8 hours ago
- Politics
- New York Post
Stefanik fires back at ‘worst governor in America' after Hochul jabs on Medicaid cuts
Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., a key Trump ally who is rumored to be planning a gubernatorial run in 2026, hit back hard against New York Democratic Governor Kathy Hochul, calling her the 'worst governor in America' after the Democrat dinged her over Medicaid cuts. In a Friday post on social media, Hochul accused Stefanik of voting 'to put five hospitals in her district on the chopping block, endangering her own constituents' lives, health, and jobs—all to serve Donald Trump.' 'I won't stand for it. I'm fighting like hell to save New Yorkers' health care,' said Hochul. In response, Stefanik posted on X, 'Hi @KathyHochul! Welcome to the fight.' 'You didn't get exposed enough during our last round when you testified and were totally exposed for your dangerous and failed sanctuary state policies ?? Let's do Medicaid now,' she wrote. Stefanik slammed Hochul for giving Medicaid benefits to illegal immigrants, 'putting New Yorkers most vulnerable LAST.' 3 Rep. Elise Stefanik is rumored to be planning a gubernatorial run in 2026 and called out Gov. Kathy Hochul as the 'worst governor in America.' FOX News 'NY's Medicaid program is rampant with tens of billions of waste, fraud, and abuse under Kathy's watch,' she wrote. 'Kathy Hochul, the Worst Governor in America oversees the worst run Medicaid program in the country harming NYers. Medicaid is an incredibly important program that I have worked to strengthen for New Yorkers.' 3 On X, Stefanik said, 'Hi @KathyHochul! Welcome to the fight.' FOX News The New York congresswoman then added, 'Oh and Kathy, your numbers in rural NY are plummeting' and 'I have been nationally recognized as the TOP advocate to deliver results for rural hospitals due to my work for hospitals in my district.' In another post, Stefanik said, 'Oh Kathy. I'm glad I set your schedule these days – from setting your Tweet schedule by forcing you to tweet on the Communist Mayor who just won in your Democrat Party in NYC. To you now scrambling to go to Saranac Lake because of news articles. When I have an announcement to make, believe me you'll know.' This comes after Stefanik pressured Hochul to say whether she supported the new Democratic nominee for New York City mayor Zohran Mamdani, who has made controversial statements criticizing Israel and promoting Palestine and who identifies as a Democratic Socialist. 3 Stefanik called out Hochul on social media for closing hospitals in her district, while she also criticized her policy of giving illegal immigrants Medicaid benefits. Christopher Sadowski Hochul has since said she plans to meet with Mamdani to discuss his ideas for the city but has not yet issued a full endorsement. Stefanik has said that as the leader of the New York Democratic Party, Hochul 'fully embraced the antisemitic, Communist nominee,' adding, 'she owns this catastrophe.' Earlier this month, Stefanik told a Republican crowd in Staten Island she was 'strongly considering' entering the race for governor. She unveiled a new state political action committee, Save New York, which appears aimed at further cementing her status as a heavyweight in Empire State GOP politics. Fox News Digital's Elizabeth Elkind contributed to this report.
The Hill
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Hill
Stefanik set to run for NY governor
Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.) is preparing to officially launch her campaign for New York governor, according to two sources familiar with her thinking. The sources told The Hill that it's not a matter of if but when Stefanik launches her campaign. The sources added that the congresswoman will announce her campaign at the time and place of her choosing. Speculation has been swirling for months over whether Stefanik, a close ally of President Trump, would seek the top executive office in the Empire State. Polling shows her leading a hypothetical Republican primary. A poll conducted by GrayHouse found that Stefanik has a commanding lead over fellow Rep. Mike Lawler (D-N.Y.), who is considering a run, among GOP primary voters, 44 percent to 7 percent. Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman secured 5 percent support. The margin of error is 5 percentage points. Last month, President Trump endorsed Lawler and Blakeman for reelection in their respective posts, raising speculation that he was seeking to clear the field for Stefanik. Republicans say they have reason to be optimistic in the Empire State. The party made gains in New York, which is considered a reliably blue state, in the last two elections. Trump lost the state by just over 12 points last year, improving his 2020 margin by 23 points. Hochul, who stepped into her role as governor in 2021, defeated Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin by roughly six points. But the eventual Republican gubernatorial nominee will still face headwinds in New York. The nonpartisan Cook Political Report rates the race as 'likely Democratic.'
Daily Maverick
5 days ago
- Business
- Daily Maverick
MTN hits back at US congresswoman's accusations of complicity in terror financing
A fresh volley has been fired at the MTN Group from the US, and this time it comes with congressional weight and accusations that go all the way up to the Union Buildings. Congresswoman Elise Stefanik, House Republican Conference Chair, has written to Bank of New York Mellon (BNY Mellon), calling for a sweeping investigation into the bank's relationship with MTN, citing 'deeply troubling and well-documented concerns' about the telecom giant's links to Iran, Hamas and, somehow, Cyril Ramaphosa's wallet. Stefanik's four-pronged call to action includes asking BNY Mellon to halt its role as MTN's American Depository Receipt (ADR) sponsor, cooperate with US authorities investigating MTN's alleged violations of sanctions, and 'review and disclose' the full extent of its involvement with MTN and its Iranian affiliates. Her letter singles out a pending lawsuit in the Eastern District of New York, Zobay v MTN, which accuses the company of financing terrorism under the US Anti-Terrorism Act. Stefanik claims 'significant legal precedent confirming MTN's complicity' already exists — which MTN flatly rejects. MTN hits back MTN's chief sustainability and corporate affairs officer, Nompilo Morafo, said: 'So yes, since 2011, our process of issuance and cancellations of ADRs has always been held by the Bank of New York Mellon. They hold about 0.3% of MTN Group's total issued capital at this point of the ADRs.' Morafo said Stefanik's claims about the Zobay case were 'incorrect' and 'not factual,' pointing out that 'the anti-terrorism case of MTN at this point is at the stage where parties have exchanged evidence and the factual allegations have not been tested in court'. The company's official holding statement adds that 'The New York court has not confirmed MTN Group's complicity in anything and no final ruling has been made on the matter.' The statement also expresses 'deep sympathy for those who have been injured or lost loved ones as a result of the tragic conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan'. 'No operational control' in Iran Morafo also refuted the allegations against Ramaphosa, who chaired MTN two decades ago (the chairperson is a non-executive role). 'The current South African President served as the chairman of MTN Group 20 years ago. He resigned from the directorship in May 2013. Any suggestions that he improperly benefited from his time at MTN are false in our view and misleading,' said Morafo. And Iran? Morafo insisted MTN has a hands-off role in that country. 'The fact of the matter is that we are minority shareholders [41%] of Irancell. We don't have operating control,' she said. The holding statement backs her up: 'Since the new sanctions regime was implemented [in 2018], we have not deployed any capital into the business and have not extracted capital or dividends.' Fighting on home soil The Zobay litigation — first filed in 2022 — continues to crawl through the US court system. While the court has allowed it to proceed, the substance of the claims remains sealed, and no judicial ruling has yet linked MTN to terror financing. That, however, hasn't stopped US legislators from leaning on reputational pressure points like BNY Mellon to sever ties. MTN, for its part, says it is 'committed to respecting and protecting human rights' and that its strategy is to 'lead digital solutions for Africa's progress'. In 2020, the company board declared it would 'simplify its portfolio' and focus on its pan-African strategy. There's also the Turkcell litigation being heard in South African courts to keep an eye on. DM
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.
New York Post
17-06-2025
- Politics
- New York Post
Rep. Mike Lawler has better shot at defeating Gov. Kathy Hochul than Elise Stefanik: poll
Rep. Mike Lawler would have a better shot than Rep. Elise Stefanik in defeating Democratic incumbent Gov. Kathy Hochul in next year's gubernatorial race, a bombshell new poll claims. Lawler would fare better among moderates than Stefanik as both Republicans eye a possible race against Hochul in 2026, according to the survey conducted by Brock McCleary, founder of Harper Polling. Hochul leads Lawler 48%-41% on the initial ballot, but the race becomes a dead heat when participants were informed of their records, the poll showed. Hochul was still ahead, but by a margin of only 44%-43.4%, the poll said. 3 According to a new poll, Rep. Mike Lawler has a better shot than Rep. Elise Stefanik at beating Gov. Kathy Hochul in the upcoming New York gubernatorial election. CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images The incumbent governor meanwhile leads Stefanik 50.1%-38.8% on initial ballots and 46%-42.6% after participants were informed of their records, according to the survey results, which were obtained by The Post. Lawler has an advantage compared to Stefanik in key downstate areas, the poll showed — with Lawler ahead of Hochul by 20 points on Long Island, while Hochul is up by slightly leaner 15 percentage points, the data showed. Stefanik leads Hochul 51%-36% on the island while Lawler leads 55%-35%, according to the poll. In the Hudson Valley, Hochul leads Stefanik by 13 points, but is only 5 points ahead of Lawyer, who is from the lower Hudson's Rockland County. The poll shows Stefanik trailing Hochul 40%-53% with Lawler in a much tighter race but still down 44%-49%. Interestingly, the poll finds Lawler running as strongly as Stefanik on her upstate turf. Stefanik has a 1-percentage point lead over Hochul — 49% to 48% — in the Albany/North Country/Central New York that includes her congressional district. But Lawler also leads Hochul by a point, 48%-47% in the same region. 3 Lawler did better than Stefanik among moderate New Yorkers, according to the poll. Save New York In the Western New York- Buffalo region, Stefanik has a 2-point edge over Hochul, 45%-43%. Likewise, Lawler leads Hochul by 3 points in the Buffalo region — 47% to 44%. Hochul is 41 points ahead of Stefanik in New York City, but 35 points ahead of Lawler, according to the poll. 'Self-identified moderates are a key voting group to win statewide in New York because, by party registration the moderates in this survey were 51% Democrat, 21% Republican and 28% independent,' said McCleary, who has polled for the National Republican Congressional Committee. 'Lawler performs 10 points higher than Stefanik on the gubernatorial ballot among moderates.' Stefanik has a 20-point higher name identification than Lawler with Republicans. McClearly said the survey was conducted for a right-leaning client that he would not disclose, not any particular campaign. The poll's findings did not release who would win a hypothetical GOP primary between Stefanik and Lawler. Other prior polls gave Stefanik, who is close to President Trump, a big edge in a GOP primary contest between the two congress members. McCleary said one thing is clear: Hochul is a vulnerable incumbent even in blue leaning New York. Nearly six in 10 voters — 59% — disapprove of her job performance, while just 38% approve. That's about the same rating as for President Trump in a Democratic-dominated state. Only 29% of voters support her running for re-election, while 66% prefer someone else. 'Hochul is a very unpopular incumbent — as unpopular as an incumbent can get,' the pollster said. 3 Hochul only led Lawler by 0.6% when respondents were informed of their records. Mattie Neretin – CNP for NY Post That means either Lawler or Stefanik could give Hochul a run for her money. In 2022, Hochul defeated former Long Island Rep. Lee Zeldin, the Republican nominee, by 6-percentage points in a hard fought race. Start and end your day informed with our newsletters Morning Report and Evening Update: Your source for today's top stories Thanks for signing up! Enter your email address Please provide a valid email address. By clicking above you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Never miss a story. Check out more newsletters Harper Polling surveyed 600 likely voters from May 7-9. The poll a margin of error of plus or minus 4% percentage points. The Stefanik camp said the poll's findings were suspect. 'The upstate polling numbers alone are laughable,' said Stefanik senior campaign adviser Alex deGrasse, noting it's not credible that Lawler is running as strong upstate as Stefanik. He also said Stefanik's close ties to Trump is a plus, not a minus, with moderate voters. 'Those who say they should run away from President Trump and MAGA like Lawler and his campaign are mistaken. To win in New York you will need to energize the Trump Republican base and win independents and Democrats which Elise has done cycle after cycle,' deGrasse said. '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.' Lawler's camp declined to comment. Stefanik has given strong indications that she's running for governor. Lawler, too, is mulling a run and will soon decide whether to thrown his hat in the ring or seek re-election to his lower Hudson Valley House seat next year.
