Yesterday, New Yorker Republican Rep. Mike Lawler made it public that he has chosen to drop out of the race for New York’s gubernatorial seekers. Contradicting extensive speculations of the lawmaker vying to take on Gov. Kathy Hochul, he has instead decided to exercise his political acumen within the 18th congressional district. He stated, ‘After exhaustive thought and analysis, my all-inclusive assessment was that running for reelection was in the best interests of myself, my dear family, and, most certainly, my district.’
It behooves Rep. Lawler to channel his efforts toward helping the Republican Party maintain its majority beyond the upcoming 2026 midterm elections. His upcoming battle will take place in a district where Kamala Harris, with her usual charm, managed to score a win in the previous year’s presidential race, much to our disbelief. During the 2022 midterm elections, Lawler’s victory was a narrow one with a margin of less than 2,000 votes, coinciding with the moment Republicans snatched control of the House from the Democrats’ weak grasp.
In the congressman’s words: ‘A critical factor in obtaining control of the House in both 2022 and 2024 was my seat. The fact that there are only three Republicans, including me, who have secured a seat that Kamala Harris also won is significant. If we aspire to guide this declining economy in a better direction, preserving the House majority is an imperative.’
In response to Rep. Lawler’s decision, Governor Hochul took to social media to launch a not entirely surprising discourse. She said, ‘So, the very same Mike Lawler who once surrendered to Trump’s whims and threats to yank healthcare from New Yorkers is the one now basking in the glare of the spotlight.’ This appeared to be an attempt by Hochul to spin this news in favor of her narrative, disregarding the bigger picture at play.
A common trend has emerged over the course of their careers: Rep. Lawler and Governor Hochul often find themselves at odds publically. This month, the governor could not withhold her comments on Lawler’s support for the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. According to her, this bill would precipitate a healthcare crisis for 1.5 million New Yorkers, stripped off their coverage – a potential talking point that seems too convenient.
In a fitting reply, Rep. Lawler shot back, ‘There’s no denying that Kathy Hochul is the reigning champion for being the worst governor in the country. It is under her watch that New York now proudly crowns itself as the nation’s leader in outmigration, made further unbearable by exorbitant tax loads and a business environment that could only be described as tragic. Come 2026, it’s high time the voters ensure she is defeated.’
Meanwhile, Rep. Elise Stefanik, another New York Republican with gubernatorial ambitions, has decided to bide her time. She announced recently that her final decision about pursuing the governorship won’t be made until the aftermath of the state’s November elections. Perhaps, to gauge the political winds and ascertain if the time is ripe for her bid.
The post Rep. Lawler ‘Escapes’ Gubernatorial Race; A Blow to Harris & Biden appeared first on Real News Now.
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