Stefanik launches 2026 New York gubernatorial campaign to challenge Hochul
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Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-Y., officially launched her campaign for New York governor on Friday, promising to make the state “affordable and safe.”
The House’s top Republican is entering the 2026 race to challenge Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul.
“Kathy Hochul is the worst governor in America,” Stefanik said on “Fox & Friends” on Friday.
“New York is the most expensive state in the country, with the highest taxes, the highest energy bills, the highest electric bills,” he added.
The split image shows Representative Elise Stefanik on the left and New York Governor Kathy Hochul on the right. Stefanik has officially launched her 2026 campaign for governor, setting up a high-profile race that could reshape politics in one of America’s bluest states. (John Lamparski/Getty Images; Kent Nishimura/Getty Images)
Stefanik’s campaign launch shakes up the 2026 race in one of the nation’s bluest states. Its initial platform focuses on crime, taxes and affordability across the Empire State.
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Hochul hit back at his potential rival. The Democratic governor has stated that he will run again, although he has not made an official statement yet.
Calling Stefanik “a disaster for New York,” Hochul said, “Our campaign’s message to Trump’s No. 1 cheerleader? Keep it up…”
Stefanik, who represents a conservative-leaning district in upstate New York, has frequently criticized Democratic leaders in her state. Recently, the self-proclaimed Democratic socialist took aim at New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani.
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“…we saw an angry anti-Semite, pro-Hamas communist who wanted to raise taxes — and frankly, he barely won a majority of New York City voters,” Stefanik told “Fox & Friends.”
Zohran Mamdani gives a victory speech at a mayoral election night watch party in New York City on November 4, 2025. (Yuki Iwamura/AP)
“Kathy Hochul endorsed him and took a knee. He disappointed New Yorkers.”
Rep. Elise Stefanik leaves a House Republican Conference meeting on the budget reconciliation bill with President Donald Trump at the U.S. Capitol on May 20. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc. via Getty Images)
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In 2021, Hochul became New York’s first female governor, after then-Gov. Andrew Cuomo resigned amid sexual harassment allegations. He won the full term in 2022, defeating Republican opponent Lee Zeldin.
The 2026 race is expected to be one of the most closely watched statewide contests in the country.
