UPDATE: In a significant political shift, Republican U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik has officially launched her campaign for New York governor in the upcoming 2026 election, and GOP leaders are quickly rallying behind her. Within hours of announcing her candidacy, Stefanik revealed that 56 county Republican chairs, representing over 72% of the weighted vote, have already endorsed her campaign to challenge incumbent Gov. Kathy Hochul next year.
“I am incredibly grateful for the overwhelming outpouring of support all across New York,” Stefanik stated on Friday afternoon. She emphasized her decade-long commitment to serving New York families in Congress and her extensive support for Republican candidates statewide, stating, “We have the infrastructure and support to mount the most unified campaign to defeat Kathy Hochul and save our state.”
The endorsements don’t stop there. Stefanik has secured backing from New York State Republican Party Chair Ed Cox and 34 Republican members of the state Assembly, including Minority Leader Will Barclay. The level of bipartisan support is notable, with State Conservative Party Chairman Gerard Kassar declaring that the “critical mass of support” ensures Stefanik will be the Conservative Party nominee for governor.
As of now, no other significant GOP candidates have formally entered the race, placing Stefanik in a strong position as the party’s preferred nominee. The New York State GOP is set to hold a convention early next year to officially nominate their candidate. This convention will be crucial as the party aims to unseat Hochul, who is running for her second full term amid a landscape of challenges.
Stefanik, who has represented the sprawling 21st Congressional District in the North Country for the past ten years, is undertaking the ambitious task of breaking the 20 years of Democratic dominance in the Empire State’s executive mansion. Hochul will not only face Stefanik but also contend with at least one challenger from her own party, her lieutenant governor.
The urgency of this campaign is palpable as New Yorkers look towards the 2026 election. With the GOP solidifying its support around Stefanik, observers are keenly watching how the political landscape will shift in the coming months. The stakes are high, and the race is officially on.
What’s next? As the campaign unfolds, potential challengers may still emerge within the Republican Party, and all eyes will be on the upcoming state convention, where the party will formalize its nominee. Stay tuned for more updates as this story develops.
