Stefanik Launches Gubernatorial Bid To Oust Empire State’s ‘Communist’-Loving Red Queen
Rep. Elise Stefanik officially entered the New York gubernatorial race on Friday, taking direct aim at Democratic Governor Kathy Hochul and her alliance with far-left New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani. Framing the contest as a battle for the soul of the Empire State, Stefanik vowed to reverse what she called the “catastrophic” effects of Democrat rule and restore affordability, public safety, and common sense.
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
“Kathy Hochul is the Worst Governor in America,” Stefanik said in her announcement. “Under her failed leadership, New York is the most unaffordable state in the nation — with the highest taxes, highest energy bills, highest rent, and grocery prices. And when New Yorkers were looking for leadership, she bent the knee to a defund-the-police, tax-hiking communist who’s driving families out of our state.”
The North Country Republican, a staunch ally of President Donald Trump and former chair of the House Republican Conference, launched her campaign just days after Mamdani clinched the mayoralty in New York City with Hochul’s full support. In a campaign video released Friday morning, Stefanik attacked Hochul’s close ties to Mamdani, describing the socialist city leader as an “antisemitic communist” and slamming the governor for enabling radical policies.
“I’m running for governor to make New York affordable and safe for all,” she declared. “That means cutting energy and grocery prices, protecting our communities, and fighting back against woke insanity in our schools.”
Mamdani, a self-avowed democratic socialist, swept into office on a platform that includes freezing rents for two million residents, opening state-run grocery stores, and creating universal childcare funded by tax hikes. Hochul praised his agenda throughout the campaign, calling Mamdani a leader with “courage, urgency, and optimism.”
Stefanik made clear that Mamdani’s victory and Hochul’s embrace of his platform would define the race for governor.
“This is a tipping point,” she said. “Hochul is proudly standing shoulder to shoulder with a man whose radical agenda would destroy what’s left of New York’s middle class. I won’t let that happen.”
Though New York remains a Democrat stronghold, recent polling suggests Stefanik could pose a serious challenge. A GrayHouse survey conducted last month showed Hochul leading Stefanik just 48% to 43% in a hypothetical matchup. The same poll found that 47% of independents said Mamdani’s win made them less likely to vote Democrat in 2026.
New York GOP Chairman Ed Cox immediately endorsed Stefanik following her announcement, signaling party unity and clearing the field for her candidacy.
“There will not be a Republican primary,” Cox said. “A year from now, Elise will lead our team to victory over Kathy Hochul, end one-party Democrat rule, and make New York affordable again.”
Stefanik’s campaign is expected to focus heavily on kitchen-table issues like the cost of living, crime, education, and the exodus of families and businesses from the state — while drawing a stark contrast between her vision and the radicalism of Hochul’s political allies.