Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-New York, a top ally of President Donald Trump on Capitol Hill, is expected to announce a campaign for governor in 2026 against Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul, according to four people briefed on her plans. Stefanik, whose representative did not respond to a request for comment, could announce the bid as early as Friday, and has informed allies of her plans to seek New York's highest office. She has been a vocal critic of Hochul and doubled down on attacks against her after the upstate moderate governor endorsed New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani following his Democratic primary victory. Stefanik, who was briefly nominated for a position as United Nations ambassador by Trump earlier this year, has called Mamdani a "communist," among other attacks, and blasted Dem

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