New York Rep. Elise Stefanik is gaining ground on Gov. Kathy Hochul in what is shaping up to be a bruising general election for the Empire State’s next governor — with the Republican firebrand gaining support among independents, a new poll shows. Stefanik (NY-21) notched a notable 5-point increase in a head-to-head matchup against Hochul in Sienna University’s latest survey, shrinking the incumbent’s lead in the closely-watched race. The poll, conducted November 10-12 and released on Tuesday,