New York Rep. Elise Stefanik is gaining ground on Gov. Kathy Hochul in what is shaping up to be a bruising general election for the Empire State’s next governor — with the Republican firebrand gaining support among independents, a new poll shows.

Stefanik (NY-21) notched a notable 5-point increase in a head-to-head matchup against Hochul in Sienna University’s latest survey, shrinking the incumbent’s lead in the closely-watched race.

The poll, conducted November 10-12 and released on Tuesday, has Hochul leading Stefanik 52% to 32% in the general election.

Hochul, meanwhile, didn’t gain any extra support in the latest survey. The Democrat led her Republican challenger 52% to 27% in September.

“In the race against Stefanik, Hochul continues to run very strongly with Democrats, 78-9%, how

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