The 2026 New York gubernatorial election will be “existential battle” to save New York and all of Western civilization from socialism, Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY) told The Post’s Rich Calder during a nearly 20-minute interview this week, excerpted below, discussing her decision to challenge Gov. Kathy Hochul.

Q: Under the state Constitution, governors could suspend or even remove elected officials from office. Is that something you’d consider doing with socialist NYC Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani if elected governor?

A: If elected governor, I will follow the New York State Constitution, which lays out a process. It is not based upon ideology. The Constitution is very specific about that process. . . . When we win, I will follow the Constitution and make an assessment.

Q: How do you get ar

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