U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY), U.S. President Donald Trump’s nominee to be U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, testifies before a Senate Foreign Relations Committee confirmation hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S., January 21, 2025. REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein
(New York, NY) – Upstate representative Elise Stefanik is announcing her candidacy for governor. After being a vocal critic of the current Hochul administration, Stefanik says she will tackle issues like affordability if elected to Albany. Here is what we know about the campaign and the candidate:
Empire State of Mind
After flipping her district over 10 years ago in 2014, Stefanik is hoping to flip the entire state red after being a Democrat stronghold since 2007. Stefanik first entered the scene during an open seat race in a district that went for Obama in 2012 by 6 points. Stefanik won her first election in a decisive victory 55-34. Stefanik made history with her election at the time, becoming the youngest member of the House at 30 years old. Stefanik has been a consistent ally to President Trump and was even nominated for a cabinet position, however her nod was pulled in order to maintain a GOP majority in the House.
Campaign Media Blitz
The Congresswoman took to social media to mark the start of her campaign. She posted a video on Twitter
Kathy Hochul is the Worst Governor in America. Under her failed leadership, New York is the most unaffordable state in the nation with the highest taxes, highest energy, utilities, rent, and grocery bills. When New Yorkers were looking for leadership from our Governor, she bent… pic.twitter.com/HXyQlNIjEj
— Elise Stefanik (@EliseStefanik) November 7, 2025
A few hours after the initial announcement, Stefanik made her first radio appearance on 77WABC’s Sid and Friends in the Morning
Double Primary Possibility
On both sides of the aisle, there may be a contentious primary before we even get to the General election next year. For the GOP, Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman has been floating the idea that he would also run for statewide office. Blakeman just won reelection by 10 points. When asked about facing Blakeman in a Republican primary, Stefanik says she is focused on running a clean campaign and knows she is the best candidate to represent New Yorkers. On the Democratic side, incumbent Governor Kathy Hochul is facing a challenge from her own administration – her Lieutenant Governor Antonio DelGado announced his candidacy to challenge and claims Hochul is part of a broken system.
Issues of the Empire State
Political experts say this election will be greatly impacted by the results of the recent local race for mayor. Stefanik has not only been outspoken against Hochul, but stresses the tie between Hochul and Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani. Mamdani won Gracie Mansion with just over 50 percent of the vote. Stefanik is planning on appealing to moderates and Independents that feel Mamdani’s platform is too extreme. Similar to the New Jersey gubernatorial race, rising utility costs is expected to be a central issue on the campaign trail.
