Ten years after she came into the House of Representatives as the youngest woman ever elected to Congress up to that time, U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik is seeking to transition from Washington to Albany. A source familiar with her plans told Spectrum News Thursday night that the 41-year-old Republican will announce Friday she's running for governor of New York in 2026.

The representative of New York’s sprawling 21st Congressional District in the North Country is taking on the high task of unseating Gov. Kathy Hochul and ending 20 years of Democratic dominance in the Empire State’s executive mansion that has seen two resignations due to scandal.

Stefanik’s move puts an end to months of speculation that she would seek the job, the likeliness of which helped deter other high-profile Repub

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