Elise Stefanik Announces Run for New York Governor — Challenges Hochul’s Record as “Worst Governor in America” 🇺🇸
NASHVILLE, TN — In a fiery announcement that’s already shaking up New York politics, Republican Representative Elise Stefanik officially declared her candidacy for Governor of New York, setting the stage for what could become one of the most high-profile gubernatorial races in the nation.
In a social media post titled “From the Ashes,” Stefanik took direct aim at Democratic Governor Kathy Hochul, blaming her for what she described as the state’s affordability crisis, rising crime, and mass exodus of residents.
“Kathy Hochul is the worst governor in America,” Stefanik declared. “Under her failed leadership, New York has become the most unaffordable state in the nation — with the highest taxes, skyrocketing energy costs, and crushing prices for rent and groceries. She’s created a crime crisis, supported failed bail reform, and bent the knee to the radical left.”
Stefanik, 40, who represents upstate New York and serves as the House Republican Conference Chair, framed her campaign as a call for “a new generation of leadership” that would make New York “affordable and safe again.”
“Our campaign will unite Republicans, Democrats, and independents to fire Kathy Hochul once and for all,” she added. “It’s time to save New York.”
The campaign video accompanying her announcement features clips of empty storefronts, crime headlines, and testimonials from New Yorkers frustrated by high living costs. Over dramatic music, a narrator declares:
“From the ashes of Kathy Hochul’s failed policies, New York will rise. All we need is a courageous leader ready for the fight. Elise Stefanik will make New York affordable and safe again.”
Governor Hochul Responds: “Bring It On”
Governor Kathy Hochul wasted no time firing back. In a pointed social media post, she wrote:
“Elise Stefanik is running to deliver New York for Donald Trump and raise your costs. Not on my watch. My message to Trump’s top ally: Bring it on.”
Hochul’s campaign also released a statement from her communications director, calling Stefanik “Donald Trump’s number-one cheerleader in Congress” and accusing her of aligning with “extremist policies that would hurt working New Yorkers.”
“Stefanik is Trump’s right hand in his war on New York — gutting healthcare, cutting school and hospital funding, and raising costs through expensive tariffs,” the statement read. “Governor Hochul is lowering costs, cutting middle-class taxes, and fighting for the New Yorkers Stefanik abandoned.”
Political Context
Stefanik’s announcement follows months of speculation that she was preparing to enter the race. Reports earlier this year indicated that she had received encouragement from state Republican leaders, Trump allies, and major GOP donors, who view her as the strongest conservative challenger to Hochul in 2026.
Her decision comes just days after several key state elections, including a Democratic Socialist victory in New York City’s mayoral race, fueling conservative claims that the state’s leadership has swung too far left.
In her campaign message, Stefanik framed herself as a fighter for working families, pledging to reduce taxes, lower energy costs, and support law enforcement.
“Families are struggling,” Stefanik said. “I fought wokesanity in our schools, stood proudly with law enforcement, and championed small businesses. I’ll never back down from fighting for New York’s families.”
Political analysts say the race could become a referendum on both Hochul’s record and Stefanik’s national profile as one of the most vocal defenders of former President Donald Trump.
If elected, Stefanik would be the first Republican governor of New York since George Pataki, who left office in 2006.
Summary:
The 2026 New York gubernatorial race is officially underway, with Elise Stefanik vowing to “rebuild New York from the ashes” of Democratic control — and Governor Hochul daring her to “bring it on.”
As the rhetoric heats up, voters may soon find themselves choosing between two starkly different visions for the Empire State’s future: one promising reform and revival, the other warning of extremism and division.