A big move for the GOP…
Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) said he is “having conversations” about next year’s election for New York governor as two members — Reps. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.) and Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.) — are considering running for the office.
Lawler has long been teasing a run for governor, dropping hints in the past year that he will likely jump into the 2026 race.
Stefanik, meanwhile, has recently been floated as another candidate after she withdrew her nomination to serve as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations. (RELATED: Report: Elise Stefanik Poised To Challenge Hochul For New York Governor)
On Tuesday, Johnson responded to questions on whether he is having conversations with Stefanik and Lawler about their potential bids and what the best path forward for the House GOP conference would be.
“We’ve got a very talented group here,” Johnson said at a press conference. “We have lots of House Republicans who are being courted to run for Senate or governor or do something big. I mean, my preference is that they all stay here with me, we get the job done. But I don’t begrudge anybody for having other opportunities, and we ultimately support them in whatever they do.”
“But are we having conversations? We are, yeah, and that’s all I’m gonna say about it,” he added.” But ultimately look, I support my friends and — these are more than colleagues, they’re friends — and I want all of my friends to do well and go as high as they can, be of their highest and best use to the country, so we’ll see how it shakes out.”
Shortly after the press conference, however, Stefanik said she has not spoken to Johnson regarding the governor’s race.
Johnson clarified his comments in remarks to reporters later Tuesday, saying he has not spoken to her about the gubernatorial race.
“I just talked to her. Elise is one of my closest friends, we haven’t specifically talked about her running for governor,” Johnson said. “We heard about all these other things and, she’s coming in to visit with me and it’s all good.”
A poll conducted by GrayHouse found that Stefanik has a significant lead over Lawler among GOP primary voters, 44 percent to seven percent.
Will either of these GOP candidates make a successful run for Governor of New York? Tell us what you think in the comments below!
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