GOP Rep. Mike Lawler walks away from run for governor; exit may help potential Elise Stefanik bid
Rep. Mike Lawler said he will seek reelection in next year’s midterm congressional elections. Credit: AP / Brittainy Newman
ALBANY — Republican Rep. Mike Lawler said he’s dropping out of contention for the governor’s race and instead will seek reelection, reflecting a growing concern by Republicans over whether they will continue to hold a narrow majority in the House.
"I've decided the right thing to do for me and my family and my district is to run for reelection," Lawler told "Fox and Friends" Wednesday.
Lawler is a loyal supporter of President Donald Trump. Yet he has sought to build a record of bipartisanship in representing his Hudson Valley district, which is closely divided between Republicans and Democrats.
His departure from the governor's race may help clear the field for a more strident advocate for Trump, Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-Schuylerville). She represents the far greater Republican stronghold of the 21st Congressional District, which is a more rural upstate district that includes Glens Falls.
Stefanik hasn't yet committed to a run for governor.
Lawler, of Pearl River, said he will seek reelection in next year’s midterm elections that will determine whether Republicans keep control of the House of Representatives, which has been a key to Trump's power in the legislative branch. The 17th Congressional District is a suburban district where enrolled Democrats outnumber Republicans.
A July poll found Lawler and other Republicans and Democrats, including potential challengers, trailing Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul. Lawler had support from 18% of GOP voters in the statewide poll. Head-to-head, Hochul led him by 20 points, 44%-24%.
The Siena College Poll also found Stefanik leading the Republican pack with the support of 35% of voters polled in the state, where Democrats have a better than 2:1 enrollment advantage over Republicans. Voters not enrolled in any party outnumber Republicans statewide.
Lawler has told reporters he is "fundamentally" the best candidate to take on Hochul, but that the right thing to do is to hold onto his Republican seat in Congress. He is in his second term.
The 17th District includes parts of Westchester and Dutchess counties and all of Rockland and Putnam. The suburban district has 226,095 enrolled Democrats, 145,198 enrolled Republicans and 151,682 who chose to not enroll in any party.
Lawler didn’t respond to a request for comment.
Michael Gormley has worked for Newsday since 2013, covering state government, politics and issues. He has covered Albany since 2001.
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