Republican Rep. Elise Stefanik has announced her candidacy for New York governor, potentially setting up a race against incumbent Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul in the 2026 election. Her campaign also mentions New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani in connection with Hochul’s policies, according to CBS News.
Stefanik criticized Hochul’s tenure, stating, "When New Yorkers were looking for leadership from our Governor, she bent the knee to the raging Defund the Police, Tax Hiking Communist causing catastrophe for New York families," as per The Guardian. State Republican Chair Ed Cox has endorsed Stefanik, while Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman has indicated he may consider a run as well.
Hochul’s campaign responded by criticizing Stefanik as President Trump’s top supporter in Congress. "Apparently, screwing over New Yorkers in Congress wasn't enough – now she's trying to bring Trump's chaos and skyrocketing costs to our state," a Hochul campaign official said in a statement obtained by CBS News. Both candidates would still need to secure their party’s nomination to compete in the general election.
Stefanik, who at age 30 became the youngest woman elected to Congress in 2014, has represented New York’s 21st Congressional District and been reelected five times. She was nominated by Trump in November 2024 to serve as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, but the nomination was withdrawn by March, with the decision cited as a move to maintain her role in Congress, as reported The Guardian. Meanwhile, Hochul faces a primary challenge from her current lieutenant governor, Antonio Delgado.
Stefanik’s gubernatorial run comes as Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani’s victory. Polls released in September by Siena showed Hochul leading in a hypothetical matchup against Stefanik.
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