Gov. Kathy Hochul seized on an explosive report Tuesday that young Republican leaders in New York traded racist, misogynistic and antisemitic texts, arguing that her chief political rival had helped normalize extreme rhetoric.

Politico reported that at least four members of New York’s Young Republican Club participated in a group chat on Telegram with peers in three other states where they made offensive jokes invoking rape, slavery, Adolf Hitler and gas chambers.

Hochul lashed out at U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik, who accepted an award from the New York State Young Republicans earlier this year. Stefanik has said she’s weighing a challenge to Hochul re-election bid.

“ We have a leader from the Republican Party in this state -- the highest ranking individual -- who in the backdrop of all th

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