Rep. Elise Stefanik would enter the 2026 New York governor’s race as the clear Republican front-runner if she chooses to run, according to a new poll released Monday.

The survey, conducted by GOP pollster Landon Wall with GrayHouse, found that 44% of likely Republican voters back Stefanik, compared to 7% for Rep. Mike Lawler and 5% for Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman. Another 44% of respondents were undecided.

Stefanik, a member of the House GOP leadership and a favorite of former President Donald Trump, is far better known among Republican voters, with 56% viewing her favorably and just 9% unfavorably.

In a hypothetical general election matchup, Gov. Kathy Hochul leads Stefanik 46% to 40%. Hochul holds similar slim leads over Lawler and Blakeman, but notably fails to reach 47% support in any matchup — a potential warning sign for an incumbent in a Democratic stronghold.

The poll also showed Hochul’s approval rating underwater, with 36% of voters approving and 55% disapproving of her performance.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)