Hochul says Stefanik would've been tougher GOP opponent than Blakeman in surprising swipe at rival

Democrat New York Gov. Kathy Hochul suggested Rep. Elise Stefanik would have been a tougher Republican opponent than GOP gubernatorial candidate Bruce Blakeman this fall, prompting the Nassau County executive to fire back by comparing the incumbent to Disney villain Cruella de Vil while blasting her record.

Hochul made the remarks during an interview with Newsday's editorial board after she was asked whether Stefanik, who publicly considered running for governor before declining, would have been a stronger general election opponent than Blakeman.

"Probably. I mean, Bruce is, you know, Bruce," Hochul said.

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The governor said Stefanik's national profile would have changed the dynamics of the race.

"She had the ability to raise a lot of money" because of her national following, Hochul said.

"It would have been a different race."

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Hochul added that she still believes she would have defeated Stefanik.

"Our polling shows us beating her as well," she said.

Blakeman, however, accused Hochul of trying to distract from her record.

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"Cruella de Vil is more likable than Kathy Hochul and her high taxes, high electric bills and soaring health care costs," Blakeman said in a statement to Fox News Digital.

Fox News Digital reached out to Stefanik for comment. This story will be updated with any response.

Before exiting the race, Fox News Digital reported exclusively that Stefanik had consolidated support from Republican county chairs and party leaders across New York, making her the early front-runner for the GOP nomination.

"Elise Stefanik, a fantastic person and Congresswoman from New York State, has just announced she won’t be running for Governor," Trump wrote on Truth Social last December. "Elise is a tremendous talent, regardless of what she does. She will have GREAT success, and I am with her all the way!"

Trump ultimately endorsed Blakeman after Stefanik opted against entering the race, helping cement the Nassau County executive as the Republican nominee in an election cycle that has put the president's influence in party primaries on full display.

Hochul is seeking a second full four-year term after first taking office in 2021 following former Gov. Andrew Cuomo's resignation.

She defeated Republican Lee Zeldin by roughly six percentage points in 2022 despite Republicans posting one of their strongest gubernatorial performances in deep blue New York in years.

The next campaign finance filings are due later this month, though Hochul has maintained a significant fundraising advantage over Blakeman. Republicans are hoping public matching funds and outside spending will help narrow the gap as the race ramps up.