In “Shadow GOP Primary”, Stefanik and Lawler Audition for an Audience of One

In "Shadow GOP Primary", Stefanik and Lawler Audition for an Audience of One

One man will decide New York's next Republican gubernatorial nominee: Donald Trump.

According to new reporting in Politico, Trump "stands to play kingmaker in his native state," with both Elise Stefanik and Mike Lawler doing everything they can to prove their loyalty to the president. Politico reveals that "an unofficial shadow primary is playing out at GOP fundraisers across New York and in the halls of Congress" to win the support of Trump and his allies. Lawler even said this week he won't make a decision about his future until he personally kisses the ring and meets with Trump.

Both candidates have gone out of their way to align themselves with the president - even when Trump's agenda hurts their constituents. Stefanik and Lawler were both key deciding votes for Trump's budget law that takes away health care from 1.5 million New Yorkers, puts 363,000 children at risk of going hungry, threatens 215,000 jobs across the state, and could shut down rural hospitals.

And as if the jockeying between Stefanik and Lawler isn't enough, Trump's "pal" Bruce Blakeman is waiting in the wings and could still get into this race - making this shadow primary a three-way competition to get the president's seal of approval.

Read more on the GOP shadow primary:

• "President Donald Trump never ran for governor, yet he stands to play kingmaker in his native state. Shut out of power for a generation, New York Republicans want Trump to help them avoid a damaging gubernatorial primary in this deep blue state."

• "'The president's voice is going to be very important,' Erie County GOP Chair Michael Kracker told Playbook."

• "This year, an unofficial shadow primary is playing out at GOP fundraisers across New York and in the halls of Congress."

• "Already, Trump has urged Rep. Mike Lawler to run for reelection in his swing Hudson Valley House district."

• "'Definitely my party leadership leans toward Elise,' Conservative Party Chair Gerrard Kassar said. 'They like her on her MAGA […]'"

• "Republicans privately caution, though, that the governor is in better shape than she appears on paper. The 2026 election is expected to be a referendum on the Trump White House. The governor has racked in cash while early polling shows her handily defeating Lt. Gov. Antonio Delgado in a Democratic primary."

• "Some operatives who have worked on GOP campaigns are quietly betting on a third option: Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman."

• "The first-term Republican must still win reelection this year, but he's embraced MAGA-coded causes like supporting federal immigration enforcement and banning masks at protests. And Blakeman is pals with Trump."

###