For complete context she never really "lived" in the district.

It doesn't really matter. I live in her district. The Democrats tried the "local versus outsider" with Tedra Cobb who's a local, and most people around where I live either know her or know someone who does.

It didn't stop Stefanik from winning with a margin of nearly 14 points. Sure it narrowed, but come on. Outside of the college towns, many people here either don't pay attention politically or are completely brainwashed by right wing propaganda. They just believe in whatever reality Fox, their fascist churches, or conservative talk tells them to believe.

Time will ultimately tell but I think Stefanik's performance will only help her in NY21. Maybe she'll alienate some Republican voters, but those people never vote for Democrats, they just stay home. At the same time, branding herself as the "anti-AOC" will excite a lot of people around here I'm afraid.