GOP Rep. Elise Stefanik of New York announced this summer that she’s running for governor in 2026. But a new poll released Tuesday shows that maybe she should give up now and fight to keep her House seat instead.

The Siena College poll found that incumbent New York Gov. Kathy Hochul leads Stefanik in a hypothetical matchup by a massive 25 points—a big jump from just a month ago, when it found Hochul leading Stefanik by just 14 points.

The survey found Hochul at 52% and Stefanik at a dismal 27%—with Hochul’s standing bolstered by independent voters who now support her reelection.

“Independent voters, who had been leaning toward Stefanik last month, are now with Hochul 43-25%,” Siena pollster Steven Greenberg said in a news release.

Hochul’s rise in the polls comes as she continues to fi

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