Elise Stefanik Launches Campaign To Unseat ‘Worst Governor’ Kathy Hochul In 2026

Democratic New York Governor Kathy Hochul’s decision to embrace democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani’s campaign for mayor could come back to haunt her bid for a second term.

Republican Rep. Elise Stefanik, a close ally of President Donald Trump, announced her campaign to unseat Hochul on Friday morning, torching the incumbent for aligning herself with a “defund the police, tax-hiking, antisemitic communist.” Stefanik, 41, rolled out a campaign launch video with the slogan “Save New York” after hinting at a gubernatorial run for months.

“From the ashes of Kathy Hochul’s failed policies, New York will rise like we always do,” the video’s narrator says. “The spirit of the Empire State cannot be broken. All we need is a courageous leader ready for the fight. Elise Stefanik will make New York affordable and safe.”

Stefanik, a six-term House lawmaker, indicated that she would officially announce her decision following Tuesday’s election for New York City mayor and other local races. Her campaign will enter the race with more than $13 million in the bank.

The New York Republican frequently refers to Hochul, 67, as “the worst governor in America” and has argued that the incumbent’s left-wing policies has made the Empire State the most unaffordable place in the country.

Stefanik has also torched Hochul’s approach to crime and immigration enforcement. The duo notably clashed during a House Oversight hearing in June during which Hochul failed to identify illegal migrants who committed high-profile crimes during her tenure when pressed by Stefanik.