Republican U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik is expect to announce a run for New York governor Friday. That’s according to two people familiar with her plans who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to publicly disclose her plans ahead of the official announcement. Stefanik is a fierce ally of President Donald Trump. She represents a conservative district in upstate New York. Stefanik has been considering a run for months. In recent weeks, she has ramped up her criticism of New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, often referring to the Democrat as the “worst governor in America.” A spokesperson for Hochul didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.The congresswoman has been teasing a run for governor for months, sparring publicly with Gov. Kathy Hochul and and launching a PAC, Save New York.In recent weeks she has ramped up her criticism of New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, often referring to the Democrat as the “worst governor in America.” Stefanik has also attacked Hochul over her endorsement of Zohran Mamdani, the mayor-elect of New York City.Trump had picked Stefanik to be his ambassador to the United Nations last year but later rescinded the nomination over concerns about the Republican Party’s narrow majority in the House.Hochul, a moderate, is facing a primary challenge from her own lieutenant governor, Antonio Delgado.A spokesperson for Hochul didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.New York State Democratic Party spokesperson Addison Dick shared a statement on Thursday evening.“Elise Stefanik is a rubber stamp in Washington for Trump’s deeply unpopular agenda that is raising costs, gutting health care, and defunding New York schools, hospitals, and police. Voters in New York and across the country rejected Trump and his enablers earlier this week, and Stefanik will face the same fate when she launches her campaign to put Trump ahead of New Yorkers.”

N.Y. —

Republican U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik is expect to announce a run for New York governor Friday.

That’s according to two people familiar with her plans who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to publicly disclose her plans ahead of the official announcement.

Stefanik is a fierce ally of President Donald Trump. She represents a conservative district in upstate New York. Stefanik has been considering a run for months. In recent weeks, she has ramped up her criticism of New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, often referring to the Democrat as the “worst governor in America.” A spokesperson for Hochul didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.

The congresswoman has been teasing a run for governor for months, sparring publicly with Gov. Kathy Hochul and and launching a PAC, Save New York.

In recent weeks she has ramped up her criticism of New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, often referring to the Democrat as the “worst governor in America.” Stefanik has also attacked Hochul over her endorsement of Zohran Mamdani, the mayor-elect of New York City.

Trump had picked Stefanik to be his ambassador to the United Nations last year but later rescinded the nomination over concerns about the Republican Party’s narrow majority in the House.

Hochul, a moderate, is facing a primary challenge from her own lieutenant governor, Antonio Delgado.

A spokesperson for Hochul didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.

New York State Democratic Party spokesperson Addison Dick shared a statement on Thursday evening.

“Elise Stefanik is a rubber stamp in Washington for Trump’s deeply unpopular agenda that is raising costs, gutting health care, and defunding New York schools, hospitals, and police. Voters in New York and across the country rejected Trump and his enablers earlier this week, and Stefanik will face the same fate when she launches her campaign to put Trump ahead of New Yorkers.”