U.S. Representative Elise Stefanik (R-NY) has been a firm supporter of President Donald Trump and a loud critic of New York Governor Kathy Hochul, whom Stefanik has called “the worst governor in America.”
Stefanik, who was Trump’s first pick for U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations this year but who was asked to withdraw her nomination and keep her congressional seat for the GOP to retain its House majority, has announced that she’s running for governor against Hochul in the 2026 election.
On MS Now, as seen below, Hochul said: “My message to @EliseStefanik is simple: New York doesn’t want a governor who sells them out to Trump 100% of the time…MAGA cheerleading season is over. I’m ready for this fight.”
My message to @EliseStefanik is simple:
New York doesn’t want a governor who sells them out to Trump 100% of the time, and refuses to stand up for our kids.
MAGA cheerleading season is over. I’m ready for this fight. pic.twitter.com/6C9iCijs2X
— Kathy Hochul (@KathyHochul) November 17, 2025
Stefanik’s campaign is targeting Hochul as “an accidental governor” — who won the election after former Governor Andrew Cuomo‘s scandal — and for her endorsement of New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani. Stefanik’s campaign is painting Hochul as one “who bent the knee to the full-blown Communist, jihadist, Defund the Police mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani.”
Prior to a face-off against Stefanik, Hochul faces her lieutenant governor, Antonio Delgado, in the primary.
Delgado responded to Hochul’s comments about Stefanik’s Trump devotion by writing: “100% of the time?! Seems like half the time is good with you — including selling out New Yorkers by approving Trump’s fracked gas pipelines or refusing to protect our immigrant neighbors by backing New York for All.”
Note: According to NBC News, “Stefanik will face an uphill battle in the traditionally Democratic state. Trump made significant gains in New York in 2024, improving on his 2020 election margin by 11 points, the largest swing toward Trump of any state in the country. But he still lost New York by 13 points last year.” Republicans have not won a statewide election in New York since George Pataki was re-elected Governor in 2002.