INTERNACIONAL
Could this top Trump ally break Republican’s 2-decade losing streak in this key state?
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
EXCLUSIVE: STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Republican Rep. Elise Stefanik, headlining a local GOP fundraising dinner in this MAGA stronghold in Democrat-dominated New York City, sent a hint of her potential political intentions.
«Are we ready to fire Kathy Hochul next year?» said the six-term congresswoman from a largely rural, red-leaning district in Upstate New York, drawing loud cheers at the Staten Island GOP’s annual Lincoln Day Dinner.
Hochul, blue-state New York’s Democrat governor, is running for re-election next year for a second four-year term.
And Stefanik, who is a member of the House GOP’s leadership, is the most high-profile Republican to seriously consider taking on Hochul in the 2026 elections.
NEW YORK GOV HOCHUL FACING PRIMARY CHALLENGE FROM HER OWN LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR
Republican Rep. Elise Stefanik of New York headlines a Staten Island GOP fundraising dinner in New York City on June 2, 2025. (Fox News – Paul Steinhauser)
Pointing to next year’s battle, Stefanik said the eventual GOP nominee taking on Hochul «needs to be the toughest fighter, who has taken on the media, who has taken on the radical left, who has taken on the naysayers, and who is a proven winner.»
It sounded like Stefanik, who early in her congressional tenure was seen as an establishment Republican but who has become a top ally of President Donald Trump and a MAGA champion, was talking about herself.
HEAD HERE FOR THE LATEST FOX NEWS REPORTING, ANALYSIS, OPINION ON ELISE STEFANIK
Stefanik, in a national exclusive interview with Fox News Digital ahead of her appearance at the Staten Island GOP event, said she’s «proud to be» one of Trump’s top supporters in the House.
«I stepped up to deliver President Trump’s agenda that is unleashing American energy [independence], securing the border, cutting taxes for New Yorkers, specifically the state and local tax deduction,» she touted.
«I am very close to President Trump. I chaired his campaign in New York. I was the first Republican member to endorse him.»
Stefanik highlighted that she and the president «talk about a lot of different things. He’s paying close attention to New York. He knows that New York state needs new leadership, strong Republican leadership.»
Republican Rep. Elise Stefanik of New York, a top ally of President Donald Trump, is seen joining the then-former president on the 2024 campaign trail in New Hampshire. (Getty Images)
And Stefanik said she «would be honored to have his support» if she pulls the trigger and launches a 2026 Republican gubernatorial campaign in the Empire State.
It’s been 23 years since a Republican won a gubernatorial election in heavily blue New York. You have to go all the way back to former Gov. George Pataki’s second re-election victory in 2002.
But Hochul will likely face a very competitive re-election.
MORE POLLING PROBLEMS FOR THIS BLUE-STATE DEMOCRAT GOVERNOR FACING RE-ELECTION NEXT YEAR
Hochul was the state’s lieutenant governor when, in August 2021, she was sworn in as New York’s first female governor after three-term Democrat Gov. Andrew Cuomo resigned in disgrace amid multiple scandals.
She defeated then-Rep. Lee Zeldin by just over six points in 2022 to win a full four-year term. But Zeldin’s showing was the best by a Republican gubernatorial nominee since Pataki won re-election to a third term in 2002.
Democrat Gov. Kathy Hochul of New York is seeking re-election next year. (REUTERS/David Dee Delgado)
Meanwhile, Trump, who lost New York by 23 points in the 2020 presidential election, trimmed his deficit by 10 points last November.
While Hochul’s approval ratings in a recent Siena College poll were holding slightly in positive territory, the survey indicated a majority of New Yorkers would still prefer someone else to win the 2026 election for governor of the Empire State.
According to the poll, which was conducted May 12-15, 36% of registered voters in New York state said they would vote to re-elect Hochul to a second four-year term, with a majority (55%) saying they wanted someone else.
Stefanik, in her Fox News Digital interview, reiterated her argument that Hochul is «the worst governor in America.»
GOP Rep. Elise Stefanik of New York speaks with an attendee at a Staten Island GOP fundraising dinner on June 2, 2025, in New York City. (Fox News – Paul Steinhauser)
And she highlighted that «we need a candidate who will speak and reach out to New Yorkers of all political stripes. I’ve done that in my congressional district. When I first ran for Congress, I was the underdog. No one in my family is political. I grew up in a small-business family. I flipped a district from Democrat to Republican, and we’ve won it by double digits ever since.»
If she decides to launch a gubernatorial campaign, Stefanik may not have the GOP primary to herself.
Republican Rep. Mike Lawler, who’s in his second term representing a key swing congressional district that covers a large swath of New York City’s northern suburbs, is mulling a 2026 GOP run for governor.
«I think Kathy Hochul is the most feckless, incompetent governor in America,» Lawler said in a Fox News Digital interview in April.
Lawler has said that he’ll make a decision on whether to run for governor or for re-election this month.
But Trump last month endorsed Lawler for re-election, a likely sign that the president would rather have the congressman seek re-election as the House GOP fights to protect its razor-thin majority in the chamber rather than seek the governor’s office.
Another Trump supporter, Nassau County executive Bruce Blakeman, has also mulled a run for governor.
Asked about a potential GOP primary for governor, Stefanik said, «I think Republicans will work it out. We know how important it is to unify again.»
«I work very well with all of my colleagues, including those who are considering, but I think we’ll work it out on the Republican side,» she added.
But the Democratic Governor’s Association (DGA), in a memo, argued, «The Republican nomination in New York will be decided by one person: Donald Trump.»
And the DGA argued that the GOP race «has already grown fractious and messy.»
Stefanik was interviewed about an hour after news broke that Hochul would face a primary challenge from her own lieutenant governor.
New York Lt. Gov. Anthonio Delgado on Monday announced his bid to try and oust his boss as the Democrats’ nominee in next year’s election in a rare move by a lieutenant governor to primary challenge a sitting incumbent.
New York Lt. Gov. Antonio Delgado on Monday announced that he would launch a 2026 Democrat primary challenge against Gov. Kathy Hochul. (Paul Morigi/Getty Images)
Delgado, in a video announcing his candidacy, took a jab at his boss, saying, «What we need right here in New York is bold, decisive, transformational leadership.»
Recent polls indicate that Hochul enjoys a wide lead over Delgado and Rep. Richie Torres, who’s also mulling a primary challenge, in the Democrat gubernatorial nomination race.
The DGA praised Hochul in a statement after Delgado’s announcement.
«Governor Kathy Hochul is a proven leader with a strong record of delivering for New Yorkers: The Democratic Governors Association is 100 percent behind Governor Hochul as she continues to deliver for New York, take on Donald Trump, and build the operation it will take to beat Republicans up and down the ballot in 2026,» DGA executive director Meghan Meehan-Draper wrote.
But Stefanik said the news of the primary challenge backed up her arguments.
«I dubbed Kathy Hochul the worst governor in America because it’s true. It’s not just Republicans. It’s independent and Democrat voters as well across this state who understand that she has failed, she has delivered catastrophic failed policies in New York,» Stefanik said.
And Stefanik added that «this is her hand-picked lieutenant governor that she chose that is now primarying Kathy Hochul, and it is because she failed at her job.»
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Asked if the news would push her closer to running for governor, Stefanik said, «I am taking a close look. It’s why I’m crisscrossing the state. I am on Staten Island today … I’ll be in Erie County, Suffolk County, Albany County, New York City. I’ve been all over the place and that will continue.»
«I will be making my decision over the coming months,» she added.
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
Welcome to the Fox News Politics newsletter, with the latest updates on the Trump administration, Capitol Hill and more Fox News politics content. Here’s what’s happening…
-US appeals court blocks Trump contempt proceedings ordered by Boasberg
-Inside NASA’s fast-track plans for lunar nuclear power and new space stations to outpace global rivals
–Ghislaine Maxwell prison transfer called ‘highly unusual’ by former federal prison official
Republican leader shreds Tim Walz over Minnesota law that freed axe murderer
EXCLUSIVE: The highest-ranking Minnesotan in Congress is blasting Gov. Tim Walz after a man who murdered his family as a teenager was released from prison.
«Once again, Tim Walz proves why he is one of the worst governors in the country,» House Majority Whip Tom Emmer, R-Minn., told Fox News Digital.
«Not only do his soft-on-crime policies rob victims of the justice they deserve, but they also put the safety of every Minnesotan at risk. Being a self-proclaimed knucklehead doesn’t excuse the chaos he has caused with his dangerous, far-left agenda.»
Emmer, as the GOP whip, is the No. 3 House Republican leader…READ MORE.
House Majority Whip Tom Emmer and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz are seen in a split image. (REUTERS/Elizabeth Frantz | AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)
White House
CARTEL TAKEDOWN: Trump approves military action against Latin American cartels classified as terrorist organizations
WASHINGTON, DC – JANUARY 20: President Donald Trump signs executive orders in the Oval Office. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images) (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
IN CUFFS: Kash Patel slams ‘corrupt’ sanctuary sheriff indicted for cannabis company extortion
PARTY HOPPER: EXCLUSIVE: Duncan says Trump’s attacks justify his switch from GOP to Democratic Party: ‘He’s making my case for me’
Former Republican Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan this week switch parties and became a Democrat. (Getty Images)
‘REAL CONSEQUENCES’: Noem, in Illinois, calls out Gov. Pritzker, Chicago’s mayor over their handling of criminal illegal immigrants
World Stage
GLOBAL DEPORT LINKS: List of countries taking in illegal immigrant deportees grows with latest African partners
SPECIAL RELATIONSHIP: US, UK ‘disagree’ on Gaza plan but ‘share’ same goal Vance says ahead of Lammy meeting
Vice President JD Vance shakes hands with British Foreign Secretary David Lammy during a meeting at Chevening House on August 8, 2025 in Sevenoaks, England. (Suzanne Plunkett – WPA Pool/Getty Images)
Capitol Hill
PATRIOTISM UPROAR: Cuban-born congressman calls for ‘Squad’ member’s removal over ‘Guatemalan before American’ remark
Reps. Carlos Gimenez, left, Delia Ramirez, right (Reuters; Getty)
HEATED BATTLE: Former Democratic advisor says party’s rhetoric on redistricting is getting ‘a little out of control’
Across America
PACS UNDER PROBE: Texas AG investigates Beto O’Rourke PAC over support for quorum-breaking lawmakers
JOB RUNNING: Party of ‘crazies’: Dems comply with outrageous redistricting stunts due to primary threats, state rep says
Texas Democrats stood next to Illinois lawmakers on Aug. 4, 2025, to oppose redistricting measures proposed by Texas Republicans. (Fox News)
ON THE RUN: Texas asks Illinois court to enforce arrest warrants for Democratic lawmakers
BREAKING POINT: Chicago’s budget shortfall puts spotlight on Mamdani’s ‘socialism’ agenda for New York City
Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr speaks to supporters at a campaign event on Nov. 7, 2022 in Kennesaw, Georgia. Carr is speaking out against progressive prosecutors who he says are hurting the communities they claim to be champions of. (Megan Varner/Getty Images)
CASH CLASH: Georgia attorney general sues GOP opponent in governor’s race over campaign financing
PUBLIC SCHOOL CRISIS: Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker lambasted for new ‘disastrous policy’ requiring mental health screenings for kids
Get the latest updates on the Trump administration and Congress, exclusive interviews and more on FoxNews.com.
elections newsletter
INTERNACIONAL
Trump, Putin will hold first in-person meeting since Ukraine invasion next week in Alaska
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin will meet next Friday, August 15, for the first in-person meeting between leaders of the U.S. and Russia since Moscow launched its deadly 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
The leaders are expected to meet in Alaska, Trump said in a post on Truth Social.
«The highly anticipated meeting between myself, as President of the United States of America, and President Vladimir Putin, of Russia, will take place next Friday, August 15, 2025, in the Great State of Alaska,» Trump wrote in his Friday evening post. «Further details to follow. Thank you for your attention to this matter!»
The location of the meeting was a major point of interest after the summit was first floated following a call between Trump and Putin on Wednesday after White House envoy Steve Witkoff traveled to Moscow to meet with the Kremlin chief.
ZELENSKYY TELLS PUTIN TO ‘BE BRAVE’ AND FINALLY AGREE TO TRILATERAL MEETING WITH TRUMP
Russian President Vladimir Putin (L) meets with US President’s Special Envoy Steve Witkoff (R) at Kremlin Palace in Moscow, Russia on August 06, 2025. (Kremlin Press Office / Handout/Anadolu via Getty Images)
Hungary, Switzerland, Italy, and the UAE were all under consideration, with Putin originally favoring Hungary, according to sources familiar with the planning.
The Kremlin chief also shot down the idea of meeting in Italy, according to reports on Friday, due to Rome’s perceived closeness with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Following the Wednesday Trump-Putin call, the U.S. president also spoke with Zelenskyy along with European leaders on the potential for a trilateral meeting.
Moscow – which has thus far refused to hold direct meetings with Putin and Zelenskyy – has not appeared likely to engage in a trilateral meeting any time soon, as the Kremlin’s foreign policy advisor noted on Wednesday that the potential for such a meeting was «mentioned» but «not discussed.»
In this photo provided by the Ukrainian Presidential Press Office, Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, right, and President Donald Trump, talk as they attend the funeral of Pope Francis in Vatican, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (Ukrainian Presidential Press Office via AP))
TRUMP’S DEADLINE ON SECONDARY TARIFFS ARRIVES; US-RUSSIAN RELATIONS HANG IN THE BALANCE
Reporting later suggested that Putin may be open to meeting face to face with Zelenskyy, but only if certain «conditions» are met, though what these conditions are remains unclear.
Putin has allegedly suggested that Ukraine would need to formally cede the regions of Donetsk and Luhansk, which Moscow illegally annexed in 2022, but which it does not have full control over.
Though Zelenskyy has countered similar territorial demands by noting that under Ukraine’s Constitution a national referendum would need to occur for any territorial concessions.
Despite the immense hurdles that remain, Trump appeared optimistic when speaking to reporters on Wednesday that «there’s a very good prospect that [Putin and Zelenskyy] will» meet.
Zelenskyy said at least one bilateral meeting between the U.S. and Russian leaders was suggested, which would potentially be followed by a meeting with Trump, Putin and Zelenskyy.
S President Donald Trump (R) meets Russian President Vladimir Putin (L) on the first day of the G20 summit in Osaka, Japan on June 28, 2019. (Kremlin Press Office / Handout/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images)
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
It remains unclear what the president hopes to definitively get out of meeting with Putin in person after expressing frustration with the Kremlin chief despite months of attempts to forge a ceasefire.
Trump wouldn’t comment on how likely he thought a peace deal between Moscow and Kyiv could be on the horizon and echoed his previous frustrations with Putin by telling reporters, «I’ve been disappointed before with this one.»
donald trump,vladimir putin,russia,ukraine,volodymyr zelenskyy,world
INTERNACIONAL
Elecciones en Bolivia: Evo Morales hace campaña por el voto nulo para frenar el avance de la derecha
El ex presidente de Bolivia Evo Morales volvió a pedir a sus seguidores que no voten a ninguno de los candidatos en carrera para las elecciones generales del 17 de agosto, y aseguró que el voto nulo no será el que le abra «las puertas a la derecha», que se avizora como clara ganadora en un contexto de enorme crisis económica y política.
El ex mandatario, que no pudo inscribirse como candidato porque ya cumplió con dos mandatos máximos que permite la Constitución, empezó una campaña para que sus seguidores no voten por ningún aspirante a la Presidencia.
«No es el voto nulo el que le abre las puertas a la derecha. A la derecha le abren las puertas quienes proscribieron y quienes se beneficiaron de la proscripción de Evo y de las organizaciones sociales del Instrumento Político. A la derecha le abre las puertas la desastrosa gestión del gobierno de Luis Arce», escribió Morales (2006-2019) en la red social X.
Las últimas encuestas electorales colocan a los opositores Samuel Doria Medina de la alianza Unidad y al ex presidente Jorge Tuto Quiroga (2001-2002) de alianza Libre, como los candidatos con mayor intención de voto.
Sin embargo, en las últimas semanas creció la tendencia hacia el voto en blanco o nulo, que ya casi superan en los sondeos a los candidatos favoritos.
En la primera encuesta presentada el 1 de junio por la empresa Ipsos Ciesmori, para el canal Unitel, la intención de voto nulo y blanco llegó al 17%.
El 13 de julio, la segunda encuesta mostró que los votos nulo y blanco sumaban el 20,7%, mientras que dos semanas después el resultado de los mismos factores, para la tercera encuesta, fue del 21,7%.
Esta inclinación de los votos nulo y blanco está por encima de los porcentajes de los opositores Doria Medina, de la alianza Unidad, y Quiroga (2001-2002) de la alianza Libre, en las encuestas.
No es el voto nulo el que le abre las puertas a la derecha.
A la derecha le abren las puertas quienes proscribieron y quienes se beneficiaron de la proscripción de Evo y de las organizaciones sociales del Instrumento Político.
A la derecha le abre las puertas la desastrosa… pic.twitter.com/IruJ13UzmO— Evo Morales Ayma (@evoespueblo) August 8, 2025
Evo Morales, que tiene una inhabilitación constitucional para buscar un cuarto mandato presidencial, intentó inscribirse en los comicios con el partido Partido Nacional de Acción Boliviano (Pan-Bol) ya que recientemente perdió su liderazgo de casi 30 años en el oficialista Movimiento al Socialismo (MAS).
Sin embargo el Tribunal Supremo Electoral (TSE) no permitió la inscripción de Pan-Bol, debido a que el partido perdió su personalidad jurídica.
El ex mandatario también está duramente enfrentado al presidente Arce por diferencias en el manejo del gobierno y por la candidatura presidencial del MAS. Esto provocó una ruptura en el oficialismo que venía gestándose desde la crisis política del 2019.
Arce renunció a reelección y el MAS eligió al ex ministro de Gobierno (Interior) Eduardo del Castillo como candidato oficialista, sin embargo, las encuestas recientes lo colocan por debajo del 3% de intención de voto.
«A la derecha le abren las puertas las listas de candidatos y candidatas que no representan los intereses populares. El voto nulo no legitima el retorno de la derecha, lo denuncia por fraudulento. El voto nulo es la última opción que queda a quienes pensamos que estas elecciones son ilegítimas», insistió Morales en su mensaje en redes sociales.
Los seguidores de Morales han abierto casas de campaña para llamar al voto nulo en varias regiones del país y este viernes en la ciudad central de Cochabamba se realizó una caravana para impulsarlo.
El ex mandatario tiene una orden de captura por un caso de trata agravada de personas, por supuestamente haber tenido una hija con una menor de edad cuando era presidente. Por esto, Morales se mantiene desde el año pasado en el Trópico de Cochabamba, su bastión político y sindical, rodeado por al menos 2.000 de sus seguidores quienes lo protegen de una captura.
Los bolivianos elegirán al presidente, vicepresidente y legisladores para el próximo quinquenio el próximo fin de semana y en medio de una fuerte crisis económica marcada por la falta de dólares, la escasez de combustible y una inflación que ha encarecido los productos de primera necesidad.
Bolivia,Evo Morales,Luis Arce
Tras el revés en Diputados, Milei habla en cadena nacional: defenderá los vetos y cuestionará al kirchnerismo
Tras filtrarse el video de Mauro Icardi y la China Suárez peleando, Rufina Cabré se volvió a Argentina: «Se viene porque extraña»
Cambiá tu televisión usada por un smart TV Samsung y ahorrá hasta casi un 40%: cómo tenés que hacer
Cristina Kirchner pidió a la Corte que le saquen la tobillera y le permitan visitas irrestrictas
La Junta Electoral no autorizó listas en distritos clave para el peronismo en PBA y bajó a un candidato del Evita
El ex Boca juniors, Luciano Acosta, jugará en club brasileño que disputará los octavos de la Copa Sudamericana
Malas noticias para Wanda Nara: por qué la bajaron misteriosamente de MasterChef: «No va a salir este año»
Axel Kicillof reclamó ante la Corte Suprema $12 billones que le adeuda Nación
“¡Vergüenza nacional! La Policía Federal recibirá aumentos ridículos de solo $10.000 y vive un colapso salarial mientras el costo de vida se dispara”
Mauricio Macri cruzó a los libertarios por el acuerdo electoral: “Quieren tomar una posición dominante”
Milei afirmó que la elección en la provincia de Buenos Aires “podría significar el fin del kirchnerismo”
Sebastián Pareja justificó el armado de listas de LLA en la Provincia: “El desafío era dar una opción diferencial”
La nota que publicó The New York Times sobre la expedición del Conicet y la tensión con Milei
El reconocido diario estadounidense The New York Times publicó este viernes una nota que aborda la expedición al fondo del...
Lilia Lemoine reaccionó a las declaraciones de Diana Mondino y dijo que “atentó” contra el Presidente: “Está armado”
Después de que la excanciller Diana Mondino diera una entrevista en el exterior y realizara declaraciones sobre Javier Milei -entre...
LLA vs. PJ: el cierre de las alianzas perfila una pelea de dos grandes frentes en las elecciones de octubre
>>Política 7 de agosto de 2025 23:07 14 minutos de lectura‘ El cierre del plazo para inscribir las alianzas de...
SOCIEDAD3 días ago“¡Vergüenza nacional! La Policía Federal recibirá aumentos ridículos de solo $10.000 y vive un colapso salarial mientras el costo de vida se dispara”
- POLITICA3 días ago
Sebastián Pareja justificó el armado de listas de LLA en la Provincia: “El desafío era dar una opción diferencial”
- POLITICA3 días ago
Causa Cuadernos: la Justicia confirmó el inicio del juicio en contra de Cristina Kirchner por corrupción
