Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY) launched a run for New York governor on Friday, challenging the “failed” incumbent Democratic Governor Kathy Hochul and her embrace of leftist New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani.
Stefanik’s announcement comes just days after Mamdani won the election as New York City’s next mayor with Hochul’s endorsement. Highlighting Hochul’s support for radical policies and New York’s high cost of living, Stefanik said she would make the Empire State “affordable and safe FOR ALL” if elected governor.
“Kathy Hochul is the Worst Governor in America. Under her failed leadership, New York is the most unaffordable state in the nation with the highest taxes, highest energy, utilities, rent, and grocery bills,” Stefanik announced. “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.”
In an ad posted alongside her announcement on social media, Stefanik said she would introduce policies to lower the cost of utilities, energy, and groceries. The spot also pointed to her record of fighting “woke insanity in our schools,” supporting small businesses, and targeted Hochul for “cozying” up to Mamdani, whom she described as an “antisemitic communist.”
Kathy Hochul is the Worst Governor in America. Under her failed leadership, New York is the most unaffordable state in the nation with the highest taxes, highest energy, utilities, rent, and grocery bills. When New Yorkers were looking for leadership from our Governor, she bent… pic.twitter.com/HXyQlNIjEj
— Elise Stefanik (@EliseStefanik) November 7, 2025
Stefanik is a close ally of President Donald Trump and was the chair of the House Republican Conference from 2021 to 2025.
While New York is a solidly blue state, recent polling suggests the race could be close. One poll from GrayHouse, conducted last month, showed Hochul leading Stefanik in a hypothetical matchup, 48% to 43%.
The poll also suggested that the race could tighten if Mamdani won the mayoral election. Around 47% of voters who identified as independents said that Mamdani’s election would make them less likely to vote for a Democrat in the governor’s race.
Hochul campaigned with Mamdani throughout his mayoral campaign, saying that she believed he had “the courage, urgency and optimism New York City needs to lead it through the challenges of this moment.” Mamdani was elected on Tuesday on a platform promising to freeze rents for two million New Yorkers, open government-owned grocery stores, and provide universal childcare.
Shortly after Stefanik officially announced her gubernatorial run, New York GOP Chairman Ed Cox officially endorsed her.
“Thanks to Kathy Hochul and Democrats, New York leads the nation in outmigration as the most taxed, least free, least affordable state in America,” he said. “There will not be a Republican primary and a year from now, Elise will lead our team to victory over Kathy Hochul, end one-party Democrat rule, and make New York affordable again.”
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