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Stefanik to Launch New York Gubernatorial Campaign, Challenging Hochul in 2026 Race
Representative Elise Stefanik will officially launch her campaign for New York governor on Friday, entering the 2026 race as a Republican challenger to Democratic Governor Kathy Hochul, according to multiple sources.
The upstate New York congresswoman, a high-ranking House Republican and close ally of former President Donald Trump, has been considering a gubernatorial run for months while representing her conservative-leaning district.
“It will be very, very soon and people are very excited,” Stefanik said Thursday during an interview on Fox News’ “The Story with Martha MacCallum.” “There’s been an outpouring of support from Republicans, Democrats, independents, all across our great state. Many Democrats who previously supported Kathy Hochul are lining up in support.”
Stefanik, who serves in House Republican leadership, has repeatedly criticized Hochul as “the worst governor in America.” Recently, she has focused her attacks on Hochul’s endorsement of Zohran Mamdani, who was elected mayor of New York City this week.
“People are looking for strong, commonsense leadership to be a check on this radical insanity that we’re seeing play out in New York City with Zohran Mamdani as a tax-hiking, defund the police, antisemite socialist,” Stefanik said, linking Hochul to the progressive mayor-elect.
Stefanik’s relationship with Trump has evolved significantly over the years. Once a critic of the former president, she has transformed into one of his most steadfast defenders in Congress. After Trump’s victory last year, he briefly considered appointing her as U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations before concerns about narrowing the GOP’s slim House majority led him to reconsider.
The race represents a significant opportunity for Republicans, who haven’t won a New York gubernatorial election in over two decades. The last Republican to win was former Governor George Pataki, who secured his re-election in 2002.
Hochul, who became governor in 2021 following Andrew Cuomo’s resignation amid multiple scandals, may face a challenging re-election bid. In 2022, she defeated then-Representative Lee Zeldin by just over six points—the best showing by a Republican gubernatorial candidate since Pataki’s 2002 victory. Additionally, Trump’s performance in New York improved in the 2024 presidential election, reducing his deficit by 10 points compared to 2020.
Further complicating matters for Hochul, she faces a primary challenge from her own Lieutenant Governor, Antonio Delgado—a rare instance of a lieutenant governor challenging a sitting incumbent. Hochul, a moderate Democrat from Buffalo, now confronts challenges from both within her party and across the aisle.
Stefanik is expected to focus her campaign heavily on economic concerns, particularly affordability issues that resonate with New York voters.
“People are very concerned about affordability and I have a strong record of delivering for families,” she emphasized in her Fox News interview. Stefanik accused Hochul of making New York “the most unaffordable state in the nation. We have the highest taxes, the highest energy prices, the highest utility prices, the highest grocery prices, and rent that continues to skyrocket.”
The congresswoman noted that recent Democratic victories in New Jersey and Virginia, where affordability was a central issue, demonstrate that Republicans must articulate a clear economic vision. “You have to have a vision, and you have to put forth policies to make your state affordable again,” she said.
Democrats have quickly moved to counter Stefanik’s candidacy. New York State Democratic Party Spokesperson Addison Dick charged that “Elise Stefanik is a rubber stamp in Washington for Trump’s deeply unpopular agenda that is raising costs, gutting health care, and defunding New York schools, hospitals, and police.”
Democratic Governors Association spokesperson Kevin Donohoe added that “from gutting health care to backing cost-raising tariffs, Stefanik’s record as Trump’s cheerleader in chief could not be more toxic with New York voters.”
Stefanik has already begun assembling her campaign team, including veteran Republican pollster Tony Fabrizio, who served as chief pollster for Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign. However, she may face competition for the Republican nomination, as Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, a Trump ally who won re-election this week, is reportedly considering entering the race.
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12 Comments
The 2026 New York gubernatorial race is shaping up to be a high-stakes battle between two very different political visions. Stefanik’s alliance with Trump could energize her base, but may alienate more moderate voters.
Hochul’s support for Mamdani’s mayoral win could become a central issue in the governor’s race. Stefanik’s criticism of that decision could find traction with some voters.
Stefanik’s launch of her gubernatorial campaign is sure to generate a lot of attention and debate. As a high-profile Trump ally, her candidacy will be closely watched nationally as well as in New York.
It will be interesting to see if Stefanik can broaden her appeal beyond her conservative base and attract support from independents and moderate Democrats in the 2026 race.
Stefanik’s gubernatorial bid will certainly shake up the political landscape in New York. As a Trump ally, her campaign will likely focus on conservative policies and a challenge to Hochul’s more progressive agenda.
The upcoming 2026 governor’s race in New York is shaping up to be a heated contest between Stefanik and Hochul. Voters will have a clear choice between two very different political philosophies.
I’m curious to see how Stefanik’s campaign messaging will evolve as she seeks to broaden her appeal beyond her conservative base. Winning over independent and Democratic voters could be a challenge.
Stefanik’s focus on Hochul’s endorsement of Mamdani is an interesting line of attack. It will be important to see how that resonates with voters concerned about crime and public safety issues.
Stefanik’s decision to run for governor is a bold move that could shake up New York politics. Her alliance with Trump will be a major factor, both positively and negatively, in her campaign.
Hochul’s endorsement of Mamdani’s mayoral win could prove to be a liability in the governor’s race, as Stefanik has already begun to criticize that decision.
This is an interesting development in New York politics. Stefanik is a polarizing figure, but her alliance with Trump could sway some voters. It will be worth watching how the 2026 gubernatorial race unfolds.
Stefanik’s criticism of Hochul’s endorsement of Mamdani’s mayoral win could resonate with some voters. However, it remains to be seen if this will be a deciding factor in the governor’s race.