Copyright syracuse.com
Rep. Elise Stefanik has quickly locked up the support of a dozen key Republican leaders in Central New York only days after launching her campaign for the GOP nomination for governor. Onondaga County Executive Ryan McMahon and Oneida County Executive Anthony Picente were among nine county executives from across New York who endorsed Stefanik on Monday. Stefanik, a six-term Republican from Saratoga County, launched her campaign for governor on Friday. She is trying to win the GOP nomination to take on Gov. Kathy Hochul in 2026. No other Republicans have announced their candidacy for governor, but Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman said he is considering whether to jump into the race. Central New York Republicans who endorsed Stefanik on Friday are: Rep. Claudia Tenney and state Assemblyman Will Barclay of Oswego County, state Assemblyman John Lemondes of LaFayette, Onondaga County Republican Chair Joe Bick and Benedicte Doran, a delegate to the New York State Republican Committee. GOP committee chairs Nate VeVone in Cayuga County, Terry Wilbur in Oswego County, Todd Rouse in Madison County, Ken Roser in Oneida County and Dan Quail in Cortland County also endorsed Stefanik. Statewide, 56 GOP county committee chairs in New York endorsed Stefanik. Those chairs represent 72% of the weighted vote needed to become the designated Republican candidate for governor. New York Republican Party Chair Ed Cox also endorsed Stefanik and said there would not be a GOP primary next year. But Blakeman appeared ready to jump into the race and make the case that Stefanik – a staunch supporter of President Donald Trump and his MAGA agenda – is not an electable Republican in a statewide race. “I have tremendous respect for Elise, however our party must nominate a candidate that has broad based appeal with independents and common-sense Democrats,” Blakeman said in a statement. “The party must nominate the candidate with the best chance to defeat Kathy Hochul, and I have been urged by business, community and political leaders across the state to make the run and I am seriously considering it.”
