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    Mel Gibson Rips Into Kamala Harris – Says Her IQ Matches A ‘Fence Post’

    By
    Patrick Houck
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    3
    Mat Weller matweller, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

    In a candid exchange with paparazzi at an airport, actor and two-time Oscar winning filmmaker Mel Gibson let it be known in no uncertain terms what he thinks about Vice President Kamala Harris. The interaction, captured in footage obtained by TMZ, shows Gibson responding to questions about his opinion on the upcoming election.

    When asked by a cameraman, “Who are you voting for?” the paparazzo quickly suggested, “I’m gonna guess. Trump.” Gibson, known for his outspoken nature, replied, “I think that’s a pretty good guess.” He then went on to critique Harris, stating, “[Kamala has a] miserable track record, appalling track record. No policies to speak of.” His criticism culminated with a jab at Harris’s intelligence, claiming she has “the IQ of a fence post.”

    Gibson began his career in the late 1970s but rose to international fame with the Mad Max series, starting with Mad Max (1979). These films established him as a charismatic action star. His role in Mad Max (1981) and Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome (1985) cemented his status as a rugged and intense actor.

    Gibson gained further recognition with his role as Martin Riggs in the Lethal Weapon series, which started in 1987. The buddy-cop action films, known for their blend of humor and intense action, made him a certified A-list Hollywood star.

    WARNING: EXPLICIT LANGUAGE

    In addition to his action roles, Gibson showed his range in films like Hamlet (1990), where he delivered a well-received performance in a dramatic adaptation of Shakespeare’s play. Other notable roles include Braveheart (1995), The Patriot (2000) and Signs (2002), showcasing his ability to play both intense warriors and more complex characters.

    Gibson’s transition into directing has been marked by critical acclaim. It was Braveheart (1995) that solidified his reputation as a director. The historical epic that tells the story of Scottish warrior William Wallace, who led a rebellion against English rule in the late 13th century, earned him the Best Director award, as well as Best Picture.

    In 2004, Gibson directed The Passion of the Christ, which dramatizes the final hours of Jesus Christ’s life. The film was a commercial success, grossing over $600 million worldwide. More than two decades later, the film has had a lasting cultural impact and remains a point of discussion in religious and film circles.

    Gibson continued to explore historical and cultural themes with Apocalypto (2006), a film set during the decline of the Mayan civilization. Known for its use of native languages and visceral intensity, Apocalypto was praised for its ambitious storytelling and immersive direction.

    After a period marked by personal and professional setbacks, Gibson made a notable comeback with Hacksaw Ridge (2016). The World War II drama tells the true story of Desmond Doss, a pacifist combat medic. Doss received the Congressional Medal of Honor for his acts of valor during the Battle of Okinawa. He was the first conscientious objector to be awarded this honor, though he preferred the term “conscientious cooperator” because he did not refuse to serve—only to carry a weapon.

    Gibson is currently working on The Passion of the Christ: Resurrection, a follow-up to his 2004 film The Passion of the Christ. This sequel aims to explore the events between the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus. The first part is in post-production and is scheduled for a 2025 release​.

    Additionally, Gibson is involved in Lethal Weapon 5, which marks his return as both director and actor, taking over the directorial role after the passing of the original series director, Richard Donner. The film will see Gibson reprising his role as Martin Riggs, with Danny Glover expected to return as Roger Murtaugh.

    This article originally appeared on American Liberty News. It is republished with permission.

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    Liberal Congresswoman Accuses Trump Of Stoking ‘Civil War’

    By
    Madeleine Jackson
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    11
    By Elvert Barnes from Silver Spring MD, USA - MaxineWaters1.CFPB.WDC.10February2025, CC BY-SA 2.0,

    Radical Congresswoman Maxine Waters is igniting controversy once again…

    While addressing the Congressional Black Caucus on Thursday, Rep. Maxine Waters (D-CA) claimed that President Donald Trump as on the verge of starting a civil war.

    “I’m worried that Trump is on the edge of creating a civil war,” she claimed. “He alluded to it more than once. He alluded to the fact that if he did not get reelected, that there could be a civil war.”

    She claimed that this idea placed a major responsibility on Democrats to “live and do, like Doctor Martin Luther King told us to do.”

    “He taught us to organize and to protest, but he taught us nonviolence,” she said. “He taught us nonviolence. That was the center. That was the core of his message. And we live with that all the time. No matter how upset we can get, no matter how angry we can get. We live with what we’ve been taught.”

    Waters claimed that Trump was putting people “in a position where hungry people are going to be on the street, where nonprofits who were waiting for their checks are not going to get them, where seniors waiting for their Social Security check will not get it – where poor families with children will not get what they believe the government has agreed to do.”

    “And so when that happens, what does Trump expect? Oh, I believe he expects violence,” she claimed. “I believe he expects confrontation. I believe he’s working toward a civil war.”

    Trump-Backed Congresswoman Launches Campaign To Challenge Senate Incumbent

    By
    Madeleine Jackson
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    3
    President Donald Trump gestures to the crowd after delivering remarks at the House GOP Member Retreat, Tuesday, January 6, 2026, at the Donald J. Trump- John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. (Official White House Photo by Daniel Torok)

    Rep. Julia Letlow (R-La.) announced Tuesday that she is launching a Republican primary challenge against Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.), stepping into the race just days after President Trump publicly encouraged her to pursue a Senate run in Louisiana.

    In a two-minute launch ad, Letlow framed her campaign as part of a broader fight to defend conservative priorities in Washington.

    “I have fought alongside President Trump to put America first, standing up for our parents, securing our borders, supporting law enforcement, rooting out waste, fraud and abuse that drives up inflation and fighting to fix an education system too focused on woke ideology instead of teaching,” she said.

    Letlow argued that Louisiana Republicans want a senator whose votes are predictable when the stakes are highest.

    “A state as conservative as ours, we shouldn’t have to wonder how our senator will vote when the pressure’s on,” she continued, without mentioning Cassidy by name. “Louisiana deserves conservative champions, leaders who will not flinch.”

    Watch:

    Cassidy responds after call from Letlow

    Cassidy confirmed the news on X, saying Letlow personally called him earlier Tuesday to share her decision to run.

    “She said she respected me and that I had done a good job. I will continue to do a good job when I win re-election,” Cassidy wrote. “I am a conservative who wakes up every morning thinking about how to make Louisiana and the United States a better place to live.”

    Cassidy has long presented himself as a policy-focused Republican, emphasizing issues such as fiscal restraint, energy development, and hurricane recovery, while also working within the Senate’s institutional framework—an approach that can play well with establishment GOP voters but has faced skepticism from grassroots conservatives in recent years.

    Trump signals support for Letlow

    Letlow’s announcement followed Trump’s recent public praise of the congresswoman, where he encouraged her to make the jump to the Senate. In a Truth Social post, Trump described Letlow as a “TOTAL WINNER!” and said she “has ALWAYS delivered for Louisiana.”

    That backing immediately reshaped the race, positioning Letlow as the most prominent Republican challenger Cassidy has faced as he seeks another term. In a state where Trump remains highly popular among Republican primary voters, his involvement is likely to be one of the biggest factors in determining the outcome.

    A political fight years in the making

    Cassidy has been under heavy pressure from many pro-Trump activists since 2021, when he became one of seven Republican senators to vote to convict Trump during his impeachment trial following the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riot. The Senate ultimately acquitted Trump, but the vote left lasting consequences for Cassidy inside Louisiana GOP politics.

    What Letlow is betting on

    Letlow, who has represented Louisiana’s 5th Congressional District since 2021, rose to national attention after winning a special election following the death of her husband, Rep. Luke Letlow, who died from complications related to COVID-19 shortly after being elected.

    Since entering Congress, she has worked to build relationships within the Republican conference while maintaining a strong conservative profile—supporting border enforcement policies, opposing Democratic-backed spending packages, and highlighting cultural issues such as parental rights and education.

    Her campaign’s early tone signals she plans to run as a Trump-aligned conservative focused on the top issues driving Republican voters in 2025: immigration, inflation, crime, cultural pushback in schools, and government accountability.

    New primary rules could raise the stakes

    The race will also unfold under Louisiana’s new closed primary process, a change that could have major consequences. With a more Republican-only electorate participating, Cassidy may face an even more conservative and Trump-friendly primary environment than in previous cycles.

    That shift could make it harder for Cassidy to rely on crossover voters or independents who might otherwise support an incumbent known for policy work and institutional seniority.

    At the same time, a crowded field could still complicate the race. If multiple Republicans enter the primary and divide anti-Cassidy voters, Cassidy could benefit from winning a strong plurality of establishment conservatives, business-oriented Republicans, and voters who prioritize seniority and committee influence.

    A high-profile Louisiana showdown

    With Letlow officially in the race and Trump already signaling his preference, Louisiana is shaping up to host one of the GOP’s most-watched Senate primaries this cycle. The contest will likely test whether Republican voters prioritize seniority and governing experience—or whether they want a more confrontational, Trump-aligned fighter in the Senate.

    For now, both candidates are claiming the conservative mantle. Letlow is promising a senator who will “not flinch,” while Cassidy insists he remains “a conservative” focused on improving life in Louisiana—and says he expects to win.

    “She said she respected me and that I had done a good job,” Cassidy wrote. “I will continue to do a good job when I win re-election.”

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    Mike Lawler Announces Re-Election Campaign As Republicans Seek To Defend Razor-Thin Majority

    By
    Madeleine Jackson
    -
    1
    Donald Trump via Gage Skidmore Flickr

    Republicans are breathing a sigh of relief…

    On Wednesday morning, Republican Rep. Mike Lawler of New York announced he will seek re-election in next year’s midterms in his crucial battleground House district, which covers a large swath of New York City’s northern suburbs.

    Lawler, who announced his news in an interview Wednesday morning on Fox News’ “Fox and Friends,” had been seriously considering a bid for New York State governor.

    “There’s no question Kathy Hochul is the worst governor in America,” Lawler told Fox News’ Brian Kilmeade, before adding, “In 2026, she needs to be defeated. But after months of deliberating over this and really working through it, I’ve decided the right thing to do for me and my family and my district is to run for re-election.”

    His news is seen as a major relief to the White House and congressional Republicans, who are defending their razor-thin House majority in the 2026 midterms. 

    Top House Republicans as well as President Donald Trump had pressed Lawler to seek re-election, and Fox News confirmed that Lawler met with Trump last week at the White House to discuss his 2026 plans and other issues.

    “While I fundamentally believe I am best positioned to take on Kathy Hochul and offer New Yorkers a real choice for Governor, I have made the decision to run for re-election to the House and continue the important work I’ve been doing over the past two and a half years,” Lawler shared in a statement with Fox News Digital Wednesday morning. 

    The Democratic Governors Association called Lawler’s decision a “humiliating setback” for Republicans, arguing that his choice means he doesn’t believe a Republican can win statewide.

    However, Republicans now seem likely to avoid a hotly contested primary, as they said they hoped only one of Lawler or Elise Stefanik would go forward with a gubernatorial run.

    Elise Stefanik released a statement Wednesday morning, calling Republicans “more unified than ever in our mission to fire the Worst Governor in America Kathy Hochul in 2026” and Lawler a “great, effective, and hardworking Representative for New York’s 17th Congressional District.”

    “As I have previously stated, I am focused on supporting strong Republican local and county candidates on the ballot this November to lay the groundwork with a strong team for next year. I will make a final decision and announcement after this year’s November election which we are all focused on,” Stefanik added. 

    Stefanik seems all but certain to run for governor, with a source familiar with her thinking telling The Hill last month that “it’s not a matter of if, it’s a matter of when.”

    Republicans have been hopeful that they could seriously compete for the office in 2026 after impressive performances in recent years. Hochul only won reelection in 2022 by about 6 points, a much closer margin than observers expected.

    Trump also made significant gains in New York in last year’s presidential election, while still falling short by double digits of victory in the state.

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    DeSantis Jabs Trump-Endorsed Politician Amid Rumors His Wife Is Mounting Gubernatorial Bid

    By
    Madeleine Jackson
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    1
    Ron DeSantis via Gage Skidmore Flickr

    The race to succeed Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is already heating up…

    Days after President Trump issued a preemptive endorsement of Rep. Byron Donalds for governor DeSantis seemingly took an underhanded jab at the Congressman amid rumors his own wife, Casey DeSantis is planning a run for the office.

    Speaking on Monday, the Florida governor reportedly snubbed Donalds for having spent time outside the state.

    “Byron hasn’t hasn’t been a part of any of the victories that we’ve had here over the Left over these last years. He’s been in other states campaigning,” DeSantis said during a presser, according to Floridian Press reporter Liv Caputo.

    In response to questions from reporters, DeSantis continued to praise his wife as a potential candidate, arguing “She would do better than me. She has the dedication to conservative principles – anything we’ve accomplished, she’d be able to take to the next level.”

    In a Thursday night Truth Social post, Trump gave Donalds his “Complete and Total Endorsement” if he decides to run, promising the congressman would have a “BIG Voice” in pushing the MAGA agenda. (RELATED: Trump Preemptively Endorses Byron Donalds For Florida Governor)

    “Byron would have a BIG Voice, and would work closely with me to advance our America First Agenda,” Trump wrote. “He will fight tirelessly to Secure our Border, Stop Migrant Crime, Strengthen our Military, Protect our Vets, Restore our Economic Power, Advance American Energy DOMINANCE, and Defend our always under siege Second Amendment.”

    “RUN, BYRON, RUN!” the president added.

    According to a new poll about potential gubernatorial candidates by The University of North Florida’s Public Opinion Research Lab (PORL) 57% of Republicans had a favorable opinion of Casey DeSantis – a higher rating than other names floated as possible candidates. 

    “Casey DeSantis was the top early pick for potential Republican primary candidates when we asked back in late 2023, albeit with only 22% support,” said Dr. Michael Binder, PORL faculty director and professor of political science. 

    Overall, 30% of respondents were favorable of the first lady, 22% unfavorable and 33% had never heard of her, according to the poll, which was conducted from Feb. 5–14.

    “She likely enjoys some favorability by association as Florida’s first lady,” Binder added, “but most of these potential candidates suffer from a lack of recognition—some suffering more than others. That said, I expect we’ll see a few of them become household names by the time the August 2026 primary rolls around.”

    The other speculative gubernatorial candidates included in the poll’s question included former Rep. Matt Gaetz, Sen. Ashley Moody, Rep. Byron Donalds and Florida commissioner of agriculture Wilton Simpson.

    Most respondents said they never heard of Moody (54%), Donalds (66%) and Simpson (79%), though those familiar with them found Moody and Donalds more favorable than unfavorable, and Simpson was split at 4% in both categories, the poll found.

    Gov. Ron DeSantis has previously shot down rumors surrounding a potential bid for office from his wife. 

    “If I had to characterize her interest in getting into the political thicket as a candidate, I would say, I would characterize it as zero,” DeSantis told reporters in May. “But, you know, I think it’s because she has had a front row seat on all the nonsense that goes on when you do it.”

    Pelosi Slams Trump’s Mental Fitness—Admits She Didn’t Watch the Speech

    By
    Madeleine Jackson
    -
    6
    Nancy Pelosi via Gage Skidmore flickr

    Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., accused President Donald Trump of “mental incapacity” during a recent interview with ABC News—despite admitting she did not actually watch his speech to the nation.

    “I didn’t even think about his speech, but I did see some of it in the news afterward, and I think it was a demonstration of his mental incapacity,” Pelosi told ABC’s Jonathan Karl in a clip that aired Sunday on This Week.

    Pelosi said she chose not to watch the address, explaining that she had “had enough” of the president. Still, she did not hesitate to publicly criticize Trump, continuing a pattern of weighing in on his presidency even when acknowledging she lacked firsthand exposure to the event in question.

    When pressed by Karl to explain her remarks, Pelosi added, “Well, that was a ridiculous speech. Of course, we were all offended because of what he said about Rob Reiner… and Michele just a few days before, after the tragedy. Something’s wrong there, and something’s wrong with the people around him that they don’t stop him from his ridiculousness.”

    During the speech, Trump said he had brought the nation back from “the brink of ruin” in less than a year back in office, sharply criticized Democrats, and touted that he had made America the “hottest country” in the world. As expected, reactions to the politically charged address largely fell along partisan lines, as Trump continues to face negative polling on the nation’s economic outlook.

    Pelosi’s attack on Trump’s mental capacity comes with notable irony, given her role in 2024 in pressuring President Joe Biden to step aside as the Democratic nominee—a move that fractured their long-standing political relationship.

    Before Biden’s disastrous debate performance against Trump last June, Pelosi had been one of the most vocal defenders of Biden’s mental sharpness. She publicly dismissed concerns about his cognitive decline and criticized a Wall Street Journal report detailing issues behind the scenes.

    Earlier that year, Pelosi praised Biden as “very sharp” and “always on the ball.”

    However, according to a book by Chris Whipple, Pelosi privately told a friend that Biden had “lost a step” last year. After Biden’s debate struggles became impossible to ignore, Pelosi’s carefully worded comments on Morning Joe—which avoided endorsing his insistence on staying in the race—signaled that her confidence had waned.

    Biden ultimately dropped out of the race, but the fallout with Pelosi has lingered. The two longtime allies have not spoken since.

    Pelosi has consistently maintained that she did not push Biden to withdraw, claiming instead that she merely urged him to look honestly at polling data showing the steep odds he faced.

    Still, her latest remarks underscore a familiar dynamic: Pelosi distancing herself from accountability for her years of Democratic leadership failures while remaining eager to criticize President Trump—this time without even watching the speech she condemned.

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    Stacey Abrams’ Group Gave Millions to Law Firm Run by Her Campaign Chair

    By
    Madeleine Jackson
    -
    2
    Office of U.S. House Speaker, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

    Georgia gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams is in hot water once again.

    New reports indicate Abrams’ voting rights group Fair Fight Action has funneled millions of dollars to a law firm led by the chairwoman for Abrams’s gubernatorial campaign.

    According to The Washington Examiner, Fair Fight Action spent $9.4 million in 2019 and 2020 with Lawrence & Bundy, a boutique Atlanta law firm that counts Abrams’s campaign Chairwoman Allegra Lawrence-Hardy, a close friend of the candidate, as one of its two partners, according to the nonprofit group’s 2019 and 2020 IRS tax filings.

    There are no definitive reports to show how much Lawrence-Hardy’s firm has received from Fair Fight Action in 2021 and 2022. The organization has been involved in a legal fight against Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger (R) for the past years. Fair Fight Action filed the lawsuit after Abrams lost her 2018 gubernatorial bid to Republican Gov. Brian Kemp, whom she is currently running against, claiming the secretary of state engaged in voter suppression. In September, U.S. district judge Steve Jones ruled against Abrams and found no evidence of voter suppression.

    “This is a win for all Georgia election officials who dedicate their lives to safe, secure and accessible elections,” Raffensperger said at the time. “Stolen election and voter suppression claims by Stacey Abrams were nothing but poll-tested rhetoric not supported by facts and evidence.”

    “Judge Jones’ ruling exposes this legal effort for what it really is: a tool wielded by a politician hoping to wrongfully weaponize the legal system to further her own political goals,” Kemp said in a statement celebrating the ruling.

    The $9.4 million that Lawrence & Bundy received accounts for over 37% of the roughly $25 million in legal fees that Fair Fight Action has racked up in the past two years, according to Politico, which first reported on the payments to Lawrence-Hardy’s law firm.

    Fair Fight Action raised over $61 million in 2019 and 2020 after being founded in 2018. At least one-third of that money has gone toward the lawsuit against Raffensperger, while $20 million has been put in cash reserves, tax records show. While there are eight separate law firms that worked on the case against the secretary of state, Lawrence & Bundy has earned the most in fees.

    Abrams and Lawrence-Hardy were classmates together at Georgia’s Spelman College, and Abrams graduated from Yale Law School three years after Lawrence-Hardy.

    Craig Holman, a government affairs lobbyist for the left-wing think tank Public Citizen, says that Abrams’s years-long friendship with Lawrence-Hardy represents a clear conflict of interest.

    Despite Abrams’s accusations of rampant voter suppression in the Peach State early voting data reports Georgians to have already broken records for early turnout. According to The Hill, Saturday’s turnout surpassed the 2020 election’s sixth day of early voting by 20 percent.

    The 79,682 voters who cast ballots on Saturday also marked a 159 percent increase from the first Saturday of early voting in the 2018 midterm elections, according to the Georgia secretary of state’s office.

    Georgia also smashed early voting on the first day polls opened last week, when 131,318 ballots were cast in-person, far above the 70,849 reported in 2018 and close to the 136,739 mark in 2020.

    “Early Voting is strong because Georgia’s voter registration system is strong,” said Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger in a statement. “Every eligible Georgian who wants to be registered to vote is registered to vote.”

    However, despite the record-breaking data Abrams is still claiming voter suppression is underway in Georgia.

    “In 2018, we had record turnout,” Abrams said in a press conference Monday. “We had record turnout that shattered records for Democrats among communities of color and in that same election … we know that 85,000 Georgians were denied their right to vote due to voter suppression tactics that shut down their precincts. We know that 50,000 voters had their right to vote held hostage by the exact match process which was proven to be voter suppression tactics. We know that thousands of people stood in lines for hours because of voter suppression tactics.”

    This Democrat Governor is Planning to Run for President in 2024 Under One Condition

    By
    Madeleine Jackson
    -
    11
    Casa Rosada (Argentina Presidency of the Nation), CC BY 2.5 AR via Wikimedia Commons

    Democrats are chomping at the bit to announce their campaign for president but there seems to be one obstacle, President Joe Biden.

    Biden, who is currently the oldest president in history, will be 81 years old when the next election occurs and some Democrats say he isn’t the best candidate to lead the country or stand a chance of defeating Trump who has all-but-confirmed his own 2024 plans. (RELATED: New Report Indicates Trump Will Postpone 2024 Campaign Announcement)

    One Democrat desperately vying for the presidency is none other than California Governor Gavin Newsom. According to sources close to the politician, Newsom is “absolutely” planning to run for president in 2024 if Biden opts out.

    According to The Washington Examiner:

    “After this midterm election is over, he absolutely is going to announce that he is running for the presidency once Biden announces that he is not running,” a top California fundraiser close to the Newsom family told the Wrap. “No ifs, ands or buts. He will run if Biden does not.”

    Governor Newsom’s political ambitions have been the subject of scrutiny over the past few months as he has sought to distinguish himself early on as a presidential contender by meeting with prominent donors, sparring with Republican lawmakers, and calling out his party’s inaction on hot-button issues like abortion and climate change.

    One of the Wrap’s sources, a Los Angeles philanthropist who backed Vice President Kamala Harris’s presidential bid in 2020 and supported her during her time as district attorney in San Francisco, said some in the party have questioned whether she will be the automatic forerunner if Biden chooses to step aside.

    “There’s going to be a ton of people coming out against Kamala if Biden doesn’t run,” the source said.

    President Biden recently called his own 2024 campaign into question during an interview with CBS’ “60 Minutes” when he declined to say if he absolutely planned to run for a second term.

    “In terms of election laws,” Biden said, “it’s much too early to make that kind of decision.”

    “Look, my intention, as I said to begin with, is that I would run again,” Biden responded to CBS anchor Scott Pelley. “But it’s just an intention. But is it a firm decision that I run again? That remains to be seen.”

    Elise Stefanik Bests Kathy Hochul In NY Governor’s Race Poll

    By
    Madeleine Jackson
    -
    3

    A new poll from the Manhattan Institute has delivered a political shockwave through Albany and beyond — showing Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY), a rising conservative star and staunch ally of former President Donald Trump, narrowly leading incumbent Democratic Governor Kathy Hochul in a hypothetical 2026 matchup.

    According to the survey, Stefanik holds a one-point advantage over Hochul among registered voters, 43% to 42%. The poll, which included an electorate heavily weighted toward registered Democrats, marks the first time in decades that a Republican candidate has outpolled a sitting Democratic governor in New York.

    Stefanik’s Strength Among Independents and Suburban Voters

    The findings suggest that Stefanik’s appeal extends beyond the GOP base, particularly among independents and suburban voters who have grown increasingly frustrated with the state’s high taxes, rising cost of living, and public safety concerns. The congresswoman also leads Hochul’s primary challenger, Lieutenant Governor Antonio Delgado, by six points (43%-37%) in a separate matchup included in the survey.

    A recent internal poll from a Stefanik-connected political action committee (PAC) painted a similar picture of growing competitiveness in deep-blue New York. That poll showed Hochul ahead by five points (48%-43%) before respondents were presented with additional context — including Hochul’s controversial endorsement of Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani, a far-left “Democratic Socialist” who is considered a frontrunner in this year’s New York City mayoral contest. When voters were informed of that endorsement, Stefanik’s support edged ahead, 46.4% to 45.9%.

    Conservative Momentum in a Traditionally Blue State

    Political observers note that Stefanik’s early lead, even before a formal campaign launch, reflects a shifting political environment in New York. Years of Democratic dominance in Albany have coincided with record outmigration, skyrocketing taxes, and a steady decline in public confidence in state leadership.

    The congresswoman, who represents New York’s 21st Congressional District and serves as House Republican Conference Chair, has been among the GOP’s most prominent figures in recent years. A vocal critic of the Biden administration, Stefanik has also been instrumental in recruiting female Republican candidates and raising the party’s national profile.

    Her campaign released a statement on the Manhattan Institute poll, emphasizing the significance of the results:

    “In a heavily Democrat-leaning state, an independent poll that is heavily weighted towards registered Democrat voters shows Republican Elise Stefanik leading Democrat Governor Kathy Hochul in a head-to-head match-up,” the statement read.

    “This marks the first time in decades that any potential Republican gubernatorial candidate—and in this case, the likely nominee—is polling ahead of a Democrat incumbent governor, even before any official announcement.”

    Hochul’s Controversial Alliances and Policy Struggles

    Governor Hochul, who ascended to office following Andrew Cuomo’s resignation in 2021 and narrowly won a full term in 2022, has faced mounting criticism from both moderates and progressives. Her handling of public safety issues, including the state’s controversial bail reform laws, has sparked voter backlash.

    Hochul’s endorsement of Mamdani — who has backed “Defund the Police” initiatives and higher taxes on businesses and homeowners — has only deepened the perception among many New Yorkers that the governor is out of touch with working families.

    Stefanik’s campaign didn’t hesitate to highlight those divisions:

    “In a decision that she will come to regret, Kathy Hochul lives up to her title as the Worst Governor in America when she chose to bend the knee and put New Yorkers LAST by desperately endorsing the Defund the Police, tax-hiking, raging Antisemite Socialist Zohran Mamdani who will destroy New York,” the statement continued.

    New York at a Political Crossroads

    Once a Republican stronghold, New York has not elected a GOP governor since George Pataki’s reelection in 2002. However, growing dissatisfaction with Democratic leadership — coupled with rising crime, energy costs, and the mass exodus of middle-class families to more affordable states — has given Republicans renewed optimism.

    Recent statewide results show signs of shifting momentum. In 2022, Republican candidate Lee Zeldin came within six points of defeating Hochul, the closest gubernatorial race in two decades. Analysts believe Stefanik, with her higher national profile and disciplined messaging, could expand on that performance, particularly if economic and public safety concerns remain front of mind for voters.

    The Road Ahead

    Stefanik has not officially declared her candidacy, though speculation has intensified in recent months. Her allies say she is actively exploring the race, laying the groundwork for what could become one of the most closely watched gubernatorial contests in the nation.

    Political strategists note that a Stefanik-Hochul matchup would offer New Yorkers a stark choice between two sharply contrasting visions: Hochul’s continuation of progressive, high-tax governance, and Stefanik’s promise of “commonsense conservative leadership” focused on affordability, safety, and economic revival.

    As the congresswoman’s statement concluded:

    “New Yorkers of all political parties are hungry for new commonsense leadership after decades of Hochul’s failed single-party Democrat rule. Elise Stefanik and the people of New York can and will win this righteous fight to Save New York.”

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    Scott Bessent Emerges As Top Contender For Lindsey Graham’s Senate Seat

    By
    Patrick Houck
    -
    2
    [Photo Credit: The White House from Washington, DC, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons]

    Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent is being encouraged to enter the suddenly open race for South Carolina’s U.S. Senate seat, a move that could place one of President Donald Trump’s most prominent Cabinet officials at the center of what is shaping up to be a closely watched Republican primary.

    According to Politico, supporters reached out to Bessent on Sunday, urging him to run following the unexpected death of longtime Sen. Lindsey Graham.

    The outreach immediately adds another high-profile name to the growing list of Republicans being discussed as potential successors to Graham, who represented South Carolina in the Senate for more than two decades.

    Graham died Saturday at the age of 71. A preliminary autopsy determined that he died from an aortic dissection caused by arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease, commonly known as hardening of the arteries.

    No indication Bessent plans to run

    Despite the speculation, Bessent has given no public indication that he intends to launch a Senate campaign.

    People close to the Treasury secretary told Politico that he remains focused on leading the Treasury Department, a position he had long hoped to hold. A Treasury Department spokesperson declined to comment on the reports.

    Still, even the possibility of a Bessent candidacy could reshape the race.

    A South Carolina native, Bessent maintains homes in Charleston and Washington. Before joining the Trump administration, he built a successful career as a financier and hedge fund manager. Since taking office, he has become one of the administration’s most visible public advocates for Trump’s economic agenda, defending the president’s tax, trade, energy, and tariff policies in frequent television appearances and public events.

    A different kind of Senate candidate

    If Bessent entered the race, he would bring a combination of political and financial advantages uncommon for a first-time Senate candidate.

    His statewide roots, personal wealth, experience in financial markets, and close relationship with Trump would make him an immediate contender in a Republican primary expected to place a premium on loyalty to the president and the ability to quickly organize a statewide campaign.

    Bessent has also developed a higher political profile than many Treasury secretaries.

    Initially viewed primarily as a market-focused economic expert, he has increasingly become one of the administration’s most outspoken defenders, regularly making the case for Trump’s broader policy agenda in addition to his economic initiatives.

    A difficult decision

    Running for the Senate would require Bessent to give up one of the most influential positions in the federal government.

    As Treasury secretary, he serves as the administration’s chief economic spokesman and plays a central role in shaping tax policy, tariffs, sanctions, financial regulation, and international economic negotiations.

    Those responsibilities could prove more appealing than leaving for a rapidly unfolding Senate campaign.

    At the same time, opportunities to seek a Republican Senate seat in a state as reliably conservative as South Carolina are rare. The GOP nominee would begin the general election as the clear favorite.

    Race expected to move quickly

    South Carolina officials are expected to move quickly to fill the vacancy.

    Gov. Henry McMaster is expected to appoint a temporary replacement while the state prepares for a special nominating process ahead of the November election.

    Several prominent Republicans are already being mentioned as possible candidates, including Rep. Nancy Mace, who is reportedly giving serious consideration to entering the race.

    The addition of Bessent’s name, however, would introduce a nationally recognized figure with deep financial resources and direct ties to the White House.

    It would also create a significant personnel decision for Trump.

    A successful Bessent Senate campaign would give the president another close ally on Capitol Hill for years to come. But it would also require Trump to replace a Treasury secretary who has become a central figure in advancing the administration’s economic agenda.

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