Mike Lawler Passes On NY Governor Run, Seeks Reelection In Swing Seat

Republican New York Rep. Mike Lawler announced his decision to run for reelection in the 2026 midterms in his crucial battleground House district, via a Wednesday morning interview on Fox News.

For months, Lawler has been hinting at a possible run against Democratic New York Gov. Kathy Hochul. His decision not to enter the race appears to put a damper on Democrats’ hopes of retaking his purple upstate New York district, which they lost in 2022.

“There’s no question Kathy Hochul is the worst governor in America. New York leads the nation in out migration with the highest tax burden and worst business climate in the country. In 2026, she needs to be defeated. But after months of deliberating over this and really working through it, I’ve decided the right thing to do for me and my family and my district is to run for reelection,” Lawler said on Fox & Friends.

“I’m proud to run for reelection on my record and win next November and keep the House Republican majority,” Lawler added.

The congressman’s decision to seek a third term comes as a major relief to Republicans, who are defending their razor-thin majority in the House during the 2026 midterms.

Lawler is also only one of three House Republicans to represent seats that were won by failed Democratic nominee Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential election. Lawler won