Republican US Rep. Elise Stefanik is running for governor of New York

NEW YORK (AP) — Republican U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik officially announced her candidacy for governor of New York on Friday.

In a video shared on social media, Stefanik called Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul “the worst governor in America” and described New York as “the most unaffordable state in the nation.” Representing a solidly red congressional district in upstate New York, Stefanik has been hinting at a gubernatorial run for months, frequently criticizing Hochul and more recently targeting Zohran Mamdani, the mayor-elect of New York City.

Last year, former President Donald Trump selected Stefanik, a staunch ally, to serve as the administration’s ambassador to the United Nations. However, he rescinded the nomination months later due to concerns about tight Republican margins in the House.

Although any Republican candidate faces long odds in the New York governor’s race, Stefanik brings strong name recognition, fundraising capability, and deep ties to the Trump White House. The Republican primary field for the 2026 race remains uncertain. U.S. Rep. Mike Lawler, once viewed as a potential strong contender, opted earlier this year to seek reelection in his competitive House district in the Hudson Valley instead.

On the Democratic side, Gov. Hochul is expected to face a contested primary, with her own lieutenant governor, Antonio Delgado, challenging her for the nomination.

Stefanik, a Harvard graduate, was 30 years old when first elected to the House in 2014. She initially entered Congress as a moderate Republican but quickly aligned herself with Trump, reshaping her image into a brash, outspoken MAGA supporter. Her national profile rose significantly after she aggressively questioned university presidents about antisemitism on their campuses, an effort that led to two resignations and earned praise from the Republican president.

Democrats maintain a significant voter registration advantage in New York. The last Republican governor was George Pataki, who left office about two decades ago. Nonetheless, Republican Lee Zeldin, a former Long Island congressman and current head of the Environmental Protection Agency, mounted a serious challenge in 2022, coming close to defeating Hochul.

Stefanik’s entry into the race marks a new chapter in what is expected to be a highly contested 2026 gubernatorial election in New York.
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