Is Rep. Elise Stefanik Running for New York Governor?

Representative Elise Stefanik is raising eyebrows and rumors that she's planning to take on Governor Kathy Hochul in the upcoming gubernatorial election.

New York's next race for governor isn't until November 3, 2026, but it seems the field is already beginning to take shape.

In a recent interview with the New York Post, Rep. Stefanik, who sits on the NY-21 congressional seat, floated the possibility running for the Executive Mansion.

She claimed she's the Republican “in the strongest position" to defeat Hochul.

What Stefanik Said about Possibly Running for Governor of New York

Stefanik, who is 40, has yet to formally announce her campaign for governor. But, her recent comments have some thinking she is testing the waters.

In her interview with the Post, she shared what she'd prioritize on "Day 1" of her elected duties.

She said her focus would be on crime, education, immigration and energy.

Unlike Kathy Hochul, who was defeated after one term in Congress, we have a record of winning — not just Republicans but winning independents and a fair percentage of Democrats

Stefanik said she would also immediately roll back 'lefty" bail reform laws, strip non-citizens of their drivers' licenses, and defund sanctuary policies for those in the country illegally.

Another key issue was antisemitism, with Stefanik blasting the Democratic party for refusing to condemn what she said are anti-Jewish protests.

She also criticized New York's "tax-and-spend" policies that she claims is driving residents out of the Empire State.

Read More: New York Among Top 10 States Losing the Least Residents

Stefanik is already showing up in political surveys as the clear front-runner of the GOP in the upcoming gubernatorial election.

She is supported by about 44% of New York Republicans. However, she is not faring as well as Hochul, who leads her by six percentage points in a theoretical matchup.

Will New York Ever Elect a Republican as Its Governor?

While there is still more than a year to go before New Yorkers can cast ballots, Hochul's path to a second term could prove difficult.

A recent Marist Poll puts her approval rating at 39%, with the majority of residents not wanting her to seek re-election. Of the 53% of New Yorkers who would rather someone else run on the Democrat ticket, 33% of the amount came from her own party.

However, Stefanik would also have an uphill battle to overtake Hochul in the polls, as New York has not had a GOP governor in about 2 decades.

The last Republican governor was George Pataki, who served as governor from 1995 to 2006.

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