Stefanik’s support SURGES in New York GOP as potential primary opponent launch falls flat

The weighted vote from her backing in the Republican Party of New York ahead of the Republican convention is around 75 percent, according to Fox News. The weighted vote corresponds to the endorsements she has received from county GOP chairs. The weighted lead from Stefanik, an ally of President Donald Trump, puts her in the position as the presumptive nominee in the general election where she will face New York's incumbent Democrat Governor Kathy Hochul. Blakeman kicked off his potential primary earlier in November with a tour in upstate New York.

The light attendance at some of Blakeman's events indicates he would have a long way to go in order to compete with Stefanik. According to Politico, Schenectady County GOP Chair Liz Joy, who also attended one of Blakeman's events in Albany said, “Elise has it pretty locked up in upstate New York."

“It was lightly attended and mostly by Long Island residents,” one person at the Albany event said.

Spokesperson for Stefanik, Bernadette Breslin, said of the early results, "Elise is honored to have earned endorsements from 58 GOP county party chairs representing over 75% of the New York Republican Party's weighted vote at the convention."

"According to two independent polls, Elise is the strongest candidate against Hochul and has the highest name ID and most favorable polling. Her strong support across the state only continues to grow as she earns more endorsements from prominent GOP leaders, including 40 out of New York’s 45 Conservative Party organizations. New York Republicans are wholly united behind the common goal of firing Kathy Hochul to save New York, and they have entrusted their full confidence in Elise to do so."

Senate Republican Leader Rob Ortt has endorsed Stefanik as well as 14 state senators. 10 county executives from around the state have also endorsed the congresswoman for governor. According to Fox, the upstate GOP chairs that have met with both Stefanik and Blakeman say that the Long Island official's message has not taken off with the New York GOP. Stefanik has also secured the backing of 40 of Empire state's 45 Conservative Party organizations, which have their own ballot line in the New York elections.

The chairwoman of the Ontario County GOP, Trish Turner, said of the meeting with Stefanik, "It was a great honor to host Congresswoman Elise Stefanik in my home for a gathering of county Republican chairs from the Finger Lakes, Western New York, Central New York and the Southern Tier."

"The energy and enthusiasm in the room were inspiring, and it was clear that many leaders from across our regions are excited about her candidacy for NYS governor. Congresswoman Stefanik’s vision, leadership, and deep commitment to New Yorkers were evident throughout our conversations. The Upstate Chairs who attended expressed not only strong support, but also genuine enthusiasm to get involved and help drive momentum in the months ahead."

Duchess County GOP Chairman Mike McCormack said, "I’m with Elise, and that’s not changing. We need to focus on saving our state, and she’s the hope for New York." Blakeman, despite the indications that the upstate county chairs are going with Stefanik, has continued to visit upstate New York counties.

Republican officials in the state have focused on Stefanik’s record in elections in comparison to Blakeman’s where the congresswoman has never lost an election while he lost a statewide comptroller race in 1998, a race in Nassau County in 1999, and lost a 2010 US Senate primary by over 20 points in 2014.

Blakeman has yet to make an official decision and has tried to contrast himself with Stefanik during his upstate tour. An April poll, including Blakeman, Stefanik, and Rep. Mike Lawler, 44 percent of GOP primaries for governor supported the congresswoman, 7 percent supported Lawler, and 5 percent favored Blakeman. Lawler recently endorsed Stefanik.