Lawler considers run for Governor, Maloney eyes potential comeback

Congressman Mike Lawler (R, NY-17) plans to sit down with President Trump over his plans to run for New York governor next year. Lawler, whose district encompasses all of Putnam and Rockland counties, in addition to sections of Dutchess and Westchester, made the announcement during an interview on NewsNation’s
“The Hill.”
Should he decide to challenge Democratic Governor Kathy Hochul, the race would likely pit him against Congresswoman Elise Stefanik, who is expected to launch her own campaign against Hochul in 2026.
During the interview, Lawler indicated he had no interest in a contested primary challenge.
“I’m going to be meeting with the president at some point soon and have a conversation about the path forward,” he said.
Lawler added that a “united front was needed -whether it’s me, whether it’s Elise Stefanik — we need to be focused on defeating Kathy Hochul. Any effort, time or money wasted in a primary is money, time and effort not spent defeating Kathy Hochul next year.”
In May, President Trump endorsed Lawler’s re-election campaign for the House of Representatives, a move seen by many strategists as a potential indicator of support for Stefanik.
Lawler acknowledged the importance of his seat for retaining the House majority, but he made clear he was not ready to set aside all ambitions
for statewide office.
Meanwhile, former Congressman Sean Patrick Maloney of Cold Spring, who was defeated by Lawler in 2022, is considering making a comeback, according to Politico.
The publication reported Maloney was “appalled by Lawler’s vote on the reconciliation bill and will be making a decision at some point in the future, but the most important thing is defeating Mike Lawler.”
Last year, Maloney and his family relocated to Paris after he was confirmed by the U.S. Senate in March as the U.S. Ambassador to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, to promote international economic growth. Maloney was nominated for the post by President Joe Biden. That appointment ended at the conclusion
of the Biden presidency.
Maloney represented New York’s 18th Congressional District from 2013 to 2023 before losing a close race to Lawler