Two upstate women in opposing political parties are vying for the governor’s seat in 2026.

Both Democratic incumbent Gov. Kathy Hochul and the chairwoman of House Republican Leadership, Rep. Elise Stefanik, are running on messages of affordability, being working moms and having their own decent relationships with the White House.

Both enter the race with millions of dollars in campaign cash with promises to drive down the high cost of living.

“Economics is what’s going to drive a lot of next year. How expensive it is to go to the supermarket and come home and feed your kids,” Bill O’Reilly, a Republican consultant, said.

Hochul easily leads Stefanik in a head-to-head race, according to a new Siena University poll .

Despite benefitting from high statewide Democratic voter enrollment,

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