Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.) filed to run for governor of New York on Friday in a challenge to incumbent Gov. Kathy Hochul, a Democrat, in the 2026 elections.

In a statement announcing her run to lead the Empire State, Stefanik bashed Hochul and her fellow Democrat, New York City mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani.

“Under Kathy Hochul’s failed leadership, New York is the most unaffordable state in the nation, with the highest taxes, highest energy, utilities, rent and grocery prices crushing hardworking families,” Stefanik stated. 

“When New Yorkers were looking for leadership the most, Kathy Hochul bent the knee to the raging defund-the-police, tax-hiking, antisemite communist who will destroy New York,” she said.

Stefanik, who also serves as chairwoman of the House Republican leadership, gained prominence over her role in confronting university presidents during the House education committee’s series of hearings on campus Jew-hatred.

Stefanik is the only elected Republican who has filed to run for the governor so far in the 2026 election. Hochul is also being challenged in the Democratic primary by her lieutenant governor, Antonio Delgado. 

The New York Republican and Democratic primaries are scheduled for June.

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