Rep. Elise Stefanik is set to launch a 2026 campaign for New York governor, according to three sources with knowledge of her decision.

Her entrance to the race sets the stage for one of President Donald Trump’s top allies in the House of Representatives to challenge Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul’s re-election bid, should Hochul survive a primary challenge. Stefanik is expected to announce her decision to run in a video on Friday, sources who were informed of her plans told Gothamist.

A spokesperson for Stefanik did not immediately return a request for comment on Thursday.

Stefanik, a top-ranking House member who has represented much of northern New York since 2014, will begin her gubernatorial bid after spending months laying the political groundwork, meeting with the state's GOP leaders

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