In a recent interview on ABC 7's "Up Close with Bill Ritter," New York Governor Kathy Hochul expressed her strong disapproval of Republican Elise Stefanik, who is speculated to be a potential contender in the upcoming November elections.
Hochul, a Democrat, cautioned that President Donald Trump would be supportive of Stefanik's candidacy. "If someone who is a MAGA Republican gets elected as governor ... against me, think about the power that Donald Trump will have over everything in the state, including the city," Hochul warned. "That's what should give people great pause."
According to Newsmax, this criticism comes in the wake of a mass shooting in Midtown Manhattan that claimed four lives. Following the incident, Stefanik criticized Zohran Mamdani, a democratic socialist candidate for New York City mayor, for a social media post he made five years ago against the NYPD. Stefanik referred to Mamdani as "Kathy Hochul's very own Commie Mamdani. A disgrace and truly unfit to be mayor of NYC."
In response to Stefanik's comments, Hochul stated, "it's pathetic, and especially in the time when we're a city that's in mourning, to be taking cheap shots and trying to infer that [Mamdani] had something to do with this. I mean, come on. Come on. People are smarter than that. Don't try to make this a political moment for you ... have some humanity."
A spokesperson for Stefanik retorted to the New York Post, stating that "New Yorkers are thankful for the swift response and heroism of our brave men and women in law enforcement. What is giving New Yorkers great pause is the continuation of Kathy Hochul's inept and failed leadership that is destroying our state.
Hochul is beholden to Commie Mamdani and has clearly bent the knee to this raging defund the police antisemite." The spokesperson further accused Mamdani of wanting to defund the law enforcement officers who responded to the recent violent crime, and criticized Hochul for her silence on the matter.
During her interview with ABC 7, Hochul also reiterated her long-standing call for a ban on assault rifles. "Why do we even allow these weapons of mass destruction to be sold anywhere in America? Other countries have completely banned them. Why can't Congress and the president step up and say, This is it, no more?" Hochul argued that it takes "political courage" to enact gun control and appealed to Trump.
When asked about the likelihood of Trump taking action to enact gun control, Hochul responded, "I'm always surprised. I'd be willing to make the case. And you know how important this is. You never know what's going to be a breakthrough."
She emphasized that "this is President Trump's hometown. He knows these streets. He knows these buildings. And so [he might] might understand the incredible vulnerability that people and they're going to their jobs every single day in Midtown."
The exchange between Hochul and Stefanik underscores the political tension in New York as the November elections approach. As the state grapples with issues of crime, gun control, and leadership, the citizens of New York will have to decide which candidate aligns best with their values and vision for the future.
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