Rep. Elise Stefanik Criticizes NY Democrats, Signals Gubernatorial Ambitions

U.S. Representative Elise Stefanik has intensified her criticism of New York Governor Kathy Hochul and the Democratic-led state legislature, condemning their $254 billion budget as bloated and harmful to workers, families, farmers, and law enforcement. Stefanik denounced policies such as bail reform, the Clean Slate Act, and the Raise the Age law as weakening public safety, while also opposing expensive climate regulations and congestion pricing that she claims burden working- and middle-class families. She accuses Hochul of mismanaging Medicaid funds, particularly by supporting coverage for undocumented immigrants, and highlights waste and fraud in the program. Stefanik, who is considered a potential candidate for governor in 2026, has framed her campaign around providing new leadership to address crime, economic opportunity, and affordability crises driving residents and businesses out of the state. Democrats counter that Stefanik and her allies' federal budget proposals threaten cuts to Medicaid and hospital funding, framing the GOP agenda as an attack on blue states like New York. The political battle is heating up in Albany as Stefanik leverages her fundraising prowess and a new "Save New York" PAC to challenge Hochul's leadership amid growing Republican momentum and a primary challenge within the Democratic party.