Stefanik Jumps into NY Governor's Race as Republican Challenger to Hochul
Rep. Elise Stefanik officially launches her campaign for New York governor on Friday, entering the 2026 race as a Republican challenger to Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul, multiple sources confirm.
Rep. Elise Stefanik is launching her campaign for New York governor on Friday, entering the 2026 race as a Republican challenger to Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul. Stefanik's entrance into the race comes days after her ally, Councilman Mark Lee, won the mayoral victory in Buffalo, which shares some cultural and demographic similarities with Albany, where the governor's office is located. As a key Trump ally, Stefanik has already garnered significant attention and support within the Republican Party. The 2026 gubernatorial election will provide an early test of Hochul's popularity in the state.
