New York governor race bursts into life

May 01, 2025

Elise Stefanik speaking at the Conservative Political Action Conference on February 22, 2025.

Zach D Roberts/NurPhoto via Reuters

The New York governor’s election might be over a year away, but the Republican primary race is already heating up as one ambitious, ex-moderate, pro-Trump New Yorker faces another.

Split the difference. In today’s GOP, even the moderates in the party are staunchly behind President Donald Trump. Both Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY) and Rep. Mike Lawler (R-NY), two top candidates weighing a New York governor run, were moderates when they were elected to the US House – former President Joe Biden even tacitly endorsed Lawler in 2023. The tables have since turned.

When one door closes. Trump had picked Stefanik to be the US ambassador to the United Nations, a position that Nikki Haley had during the president’s first term. The Adirondacks congresswoman had even begun her farewell tour, but the president pulled her nomination amid concerns about losing seats in special House elections.

Who’s out in front? Stefanik, the House Republican Conference chair, leads Lawler by a country mile in the primary, 44%-7%, per an internal poll from the GOP-aligned firm GrayHouse. Still, it is early, and 44% of those surveyed were undecided. Stefanik, who has served in the House for over a decade, has built a far greater following than the Hudson Valley congressman, who is only starting his third year in office, so it’s no surprise that she has a cavernous head start.

A win-win. Stefanik may be taking a risk by relinquishing her leadership position in the House to run statewide in a liberal-leaning state, but her predecessor showed that she can taste some victory even in defeat. Lee Zeldin, the GOP governor nominee in 2022, lost the race by just six points, and his performance was credited with helping to lift candidates down the ballot. Now, Zeldin is a member of Trump’s Cabinet, leading the Environmental Protection Agency.

Dems seek Hochul’s head. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul’sapproval ratings have been in the dumps, which could create a genuine opening for Stefanik to win. Hochul’s first challenge, though, will be getting past the primary: She will likely face challenges from Lt. Gov. Antonio Delgado and Rep. Ritchie Torres.

Mark your calendars. Both primaries are likely going to be scheduled for June 23, 2026.

Mike Waltz runs out of time

National Security Adviser Mike Waltz walks to board Marine One at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., on April 3, 2025.

REUTERS/Carlos Barria

US National Security Adviser Michael Waltz will be fired, CBS News first reported, bringing a premature end to the Floridian’s tumultuous time in the White House. His stint has been marred ever since he accidentally added a journalist from The Atlantic to a Signal chat regarding US attack plans in Yemen.

Smith makes Alberta referendum easier

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith announces proposed changes to several pieces of democratic process legislation, in Edmonton on Tuesday, April 29, 2025.

Jason Franson/The Canadian Press via ZUMA Press via Reuters

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith tabled a bill on Tuesday that will make it easier for voters in her province to force a referendum to secede from Canada. The bill could theoretically clear the way for the province to become the 51st state.

US and China limp toward trade war thaw

A 3D-printed miniature model depicting US President Donald Trump, the Chinese flag, and the word "tariffs" in this illustration taken on April 17, 2025.

REUTERS/Dado Ruvic

The US economy contracted 0.3% at an annualized rate in the first quarter of 2025, while China’s manufacturing plants saw their sharpest monthly slowdown in over a year. Behind the scenes, the world’s two largest economies are backing away from their extraordinary trade war.

Hamas: Then & Now

Palestinian Hamas and Islamic Jihad fighters form a human chain in front of the crowd gathered near the family home of slain Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, where the Hamas militant group prepares to hand over Israeli and Thai hostages to a Red Cross team in Khan Yunis, on January 30, 2025, as part of their third hostage-prisoner exchange..

Photo by Majdi Fathi/NurPhot

Israel hunted Yahya Sinwar — the Hamas leader and mastermind of the Oct. 7 attack — for over a year. He was hidden deep within Gaza’s shadowy tunnel networks.

New York governor race bursts into life

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New York governor race bursts into life

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Subscribe to GZERO Media's newsletter: Signal

More from GZERO Media

Mark Carney, who has never sat in Parliament and has only been a politician for four months, faces a lot of political puzzles after leading his Liberal Party to victory in Canada on Monday, and one huge challenge south of the border.

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith tabled a bill on Tuesday that will make it easier for voters in her province to force a referendum to secede from Canada. The bill could theoretically clear the way for the province to become the 51st state.

GZEROMEDIA

Subscribe to GZERO Media's newsletter: Signal

Donald Trump said Wednesday that Prime Minister Mark Carney is headed to Washington, DC, within a week for a personal meeting, but there is reason to think that neither country is ready to get down to serious trade negotiations.

The US economy contracted 0.3% at an annualized rate in the first quarter of 2025, while China’s manufacturing plants saw their sharpest monthly slowdown in over a year. Behind the scenes, the world’s two largest economies are backing away from their extraordinary trade war.

Two months after their infamous White House fight, the US and Ukraine announced on Wednesday that they had finally struck a long-awaited minerals deal.

Nerves are fraught throughout Pakistan after authorities said Wednesday they have “credible intelligence” that India plans to launch military strikes on its soil by Friday.

Israel hunted Yahya Sinwar — the Hamas leader and mastermind of the Oct. 7 attack — for over a year. He was hidden deep within Gaza’s shadowy tunnel networks.