A GOPer’s Seemingly Simple Announcement For Governor’s Race Could Poison The Party

The outcome of Tuesday’s GOP races in New Jersey and Virginia should prompt a cautionary approach for those cheering on Republican New York Rep. Elise Stefanik’s bid to run in her state’s gubernatorial race.

GOP polling in the 2025 off-year election showed close races for Republican candidates Jack Ciattarelli and Virginia Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears against their Democratic gubernatorial opponents. On Election Day, both Republicans lost their races by double digits. While recent polling shows Stefanik closed the gap after being down in July, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul still has the upper hand.