Stefanik, who chairs the House Republican Conference, was honored with the Zionist Organization of America\u2019s Mortimer Zuckerman Maccabee Warrior Award for her efforts to combat antisemitism.<\/p>\n
Introducing her at the gala, Adelson lauded Stefanik for confronting university leaders over antisemitism<\/a> and invoked her late husband Sheldon Adelson\u2019s insistence on moral conviction.<\/p>\n “When I heard you talking to the heads of the universities, I said to myself, \u2018She has the guts to say the truth,\u2019” Adelson said. “Sheldon used to say, \u2018stand up for what you believe in even if you stand up alone,\u2019 and you showed us and all the world courage.”<\/p>\n STEFANIK DECRIES HOCHUL AS ‘WORST GOVERNOR IN AMERICA’ IN FIERY 2026 CAMPAIGN LAUNCH<\/a><\/p>\n House Republican Conference Chair Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., listens as President Donald Trump speaks at the House Republicans Conference meeting. (Andrew Harnik\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n Adelson went on to describe Stefanik as “a great leader,” crediting her for defending “the Jewish people, Israel<\/a> and the Free World.”<\/p>\n “Thank you for continuing to be what you are \u2014 a brave lady,” Adelson said. “I send to you from here a hug for all your achievements, and I hope to visit you in the office of New York governor next year after the election.”<\/p>\n Adelson, the majority owner of Las Vegas Sands and a philanthropist and physician whose net worth is estimated in the $30 billion-plus range, has been a prominent Republican mega-donor<\/a> and backed the pro-Trump super PAC Preserve America in multiple election cycles.<\/p>\n KEY TRUMP ALLY JUMPS INTO NEW YORK GOVERNOR’S RACE DAYS AFTER SHOCKING MAMDANI MAYORAL VICTORY<\/a><\/p>\n Miriam Adelson arrives before the 60th Presidential Inauguration in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Jan. 20, 2025 (Saul Loeb\/Pool photo via AP)<\/p>\n The Zionist Organization of America event, held in New York, drew political and philanthropic leaders from across the pro-Israel community.<\/p>\n “I am honored to receive such high praise and support from my friend Dr. Adelson who has served as a pillar of Jewish advocacy and strength in her fight to ensure the light of freedom, faith, and truth never goes out,” Stefanik told Fox News Digital. “I thank her for her glowing words of encouragement in my fight to save New York and fire Kathy Hochul.”<\/p>\n Stefanik launched her long-anticipated Republican campaign for New York governor on Friday, entering the 2026 race as she challenges Democratic Gov. Hochul<\/a>.<\/p>\n A top House Republican and one of President Donald Trump<\/a>\u2019s closest allies, Stefanik represents a conservative-leaning district in upstate New York and had been weighing a gubernatorial run for months.<\/p>\n REP. ELISE STEFANIK LABELS NYC MAYORAL CANDIDATE ZOHRAN MAMDANI A ‘JIHADIST’<\/a><\/p>\n Split image shows Rep. Elise Stefanik, left, and New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, right. Stefanik officially launched her 2026 campaign for governor, setting up a high-profile race that could reshape politics in one of America\u2019s bluest states. (John Lamparski\/Getty Images; Kent Nishimura\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n “I’m running for governor<\/a> to make New York affordable and safe. We have seen decades of single-party rule led by Democrats. And Kathy Hochul is the worst governor in America,” Stefanik said Friday morning on “Fox & Friends.”<\/p>\n “New York is the most unaffordable state in the nation, with the highest taxes, the highest energy bills, the highest utility bills. We also have a crime crisis because Kathy Hochul has brought us failed bail reform and has embraced the defund the police Democrats,” Stefanik continued.<\/p>\n “And after this week\u2026 when we saw a raging anti-Semite pro-Hamas communist who wants to raise taxes. And frankly, he barely won the majority of New York City<\/a> voters, Kathy Hochul endorsed him and bent the knee,” Stefanik added, referencing New York City mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani<\/a>, a Democratic socialist.<\/p>\n STEFANIK BOOED OFFSTAGE AS PROTESTERS CHANT ‘TRAITOR’ DURING UPSTATE NEW YORK MEMORIAL EVENT<\/a><\/p>\n Elise Stefanik \u00a0launched her long-anticipated Republican campaign for New York governor on Friday. (Getty Images)<\/p>\n When announcing her campaign the day before she launched it, Stefanik said, “I am running for Governor to bring a new generation of leadership to Albany to make New York affordable and safe for families all across our great state.”<\/p>\n “Our campaign will unify Republicans, Democrats, and Independents to fire Kathy Hochul once and for all to save New York,” she pledged in her statement and accompanying video.<\/p>\n Stefanik, a member of the House Republican leadership, again charged that “Kathy Hochul is the worst governor in America,” repeating a line that she’s used for months.<\/p>\n![\"Rep.](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/stefanik-1.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"Miriam](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/miriam-adelson.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"Split-screen](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/elise-stefanik-kathy-hochul-ny-fox-news.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"Stefanik](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/stefanik_.png\")
<\/p>\n