Elise Stefanik Weighs Possible Run for New York Governor \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ Rep. Elise Stefanik is exploring a bid for New York governor in 2026, potentially challenging Democrat Kathy Hochul. A Trump ally, Stefanik recently had a U.N. ambassador nomination withdrawn over House GOP seat concerns. Hochul faces potential primary challenges, as GOP contenders begin to line up.
Quick Looks
- Rep. Elise Stefanik is considering a 2026 run for New York governor.
- A source close to Stefanik confirmed internal discussions, requesting anonymity.
- Stefanik’s recent U.N. ambassador nomination was withdrawn over House seat concerns.
- She strongly criticized Gov. Kathy Hochul, calling her the “Worst Governor in America.”
- Hochul is running for re-election but may face a Democratic primary challenge.
- Rep. Mike Lawler may also seek the GOP nomination for governor.
- Former EPA head Lee Zeldin came close to unseating Hochul in 2022.
- Hochul dismissed GOP challengers as “extreme MAGA Republicans.”
Deep Look
Rep. Elise Stefanik, a rising star in House Republican leadership and one of former President Donald Trump’s most vocal allies in Congress, is seriously weighing a campaign for governor of New York in 2026. The possibility, confirmed by a person close to Stefanik who was granted anonymity to discuss the internal deliberations, would mark a high-profile entry into what is expected to be a fiercely contested race in one of the country’s most politically complex states.
The current governor, Democrat Kathy Hochul, won her first full term in 2022 following her appointment to the office after the resignation of former Governor Andrew Cuomo. She is running for reelection next year but faces declining approval ratings and increasing pressure from within her own party. With both Democratic and Republican fields still forming, Stefanik’s potential entry could shake up the race early.
Stefanik’s consideration comes just weeks after her nomination to serve as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations was pulled. The move, which had been advanced by the Trump-aligned wing of the GOP, was reportedly reversed due to concerns about maintaining control of her northern New York congressional seat. With Republicans holding a razor-thin majority in the House of Representatives, even one vacancy could tilt the balance.
On Wednesday, Trump expressed his continued support for Stefanik in a post on Truth Social, writing, “Congresswoman Elise Stefanik is GREAT!!!” Though she did not directly address the governor’s race in a public statement that followed, Stefanik’s rhetoric clearly pointed toward a future campaign. She called Hochul “the Worst Governor in America” and declared, “we must FIRE Kathy Hochul in 2026 to SAVE NEW YORK.”
If Stefanik does officially declare, she could face competition within her party. Rep. Mike Lawler, another New York Republican, has been openly mulling a gubernatorial bid for months. Lawler, who represents a Hudson Valley swing district, is viewed as a potential moderate foil to Stefanik’s staunchly pro-Trump brand of politics. A contested GOP primary could lay bare the ideological divisions within New York’s Republican base.
The last Republican to hold the governor’s office in New York was George Pataki, who served three terms before stepping down in 2006. Since then, the state has leaned heavily Democratic, particularly in statewide races. However, the 2022 gubernatorial race showed potential for GOP competitiveness: former Long Island congressman Lee Zeldin, now head of the Environmental Protection Agency under Trump, came within a few points of defeating Hochul in what would have been a historic upset.
Zeldin’s strong showing energized the Republican Party in New York and opened the door to renewed hopes of reclaiming the governor’s mansion. Stefanik’s entry into the race would be a natural extension of that momentum, particularly given her high national profile, fundraising prowess, and close alignment with Trump’s political agenda.
Meanwhile, Hochul is facing potential trouble from within her own party. Earlier this year, her lieutenant governor Antonio Delgado announced he would not seek reelection on a joint ticket with Hochul, a move widely interpreted as a signal of his own gubernatorial ambitions. Additionally, Rep. Ritchie Torres of the Bronx, a rising figure in progressive Democratic circles, is rumored to be considering a primary challenge. Torres has been one of Hochul’s more outspoken critics, especially on issues related to housing and public safety.
When asked by reporters about the prospect of facing Stefanik or another Republican in 2026, Hochul offered a confident response. “No matter the GOP nominee next year that I’ll be running against, it’s going to be an extreme MAGA Republican, and I look forward to that fight,” she said.
As the field begins to take shape, Stefanik’s decision could significantly influence both parties’ strategies in a state where urban-rural divides and shifting voter priorities have made recent elections increasingly competitive. Her entrance would bring national attention to the race and potentially galvanize conservative voters across the state.
The next year will likely see intensified campaigning, fundraising, and maneuvering as both Democrats and Republicans position themselves for what could be one of the most high-profile gubernatorial contests of the 2026 cycle.
Elise Stefanik Weighs
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