Rep. Elise Stefanik, the onetime moderate Republican turned staunch MAGA ally of President Donald Trump, announced on Friday that she is running for governor of New York.
Stefanik’s entry into the race sets up what is likely to be one of the most closely watched elections of the 2026 campaign season.
In the lead-up to the launch of her campaign, Stefanik had been relentlessly attacking incumbent Gov. Kathy Hochul (D), calling her “the Worst Governor in America,” seizing on her endorsement of New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani.
“Now more than ever, New Yorkers need a strong check and balance in the Governor’s Office to counterbalance jihadist terrorist sympathizer Commie Mamdani,” Stefanik wrote on X, joining the chorus of Islamophobic attacks Mamdani has faced from right-wing pundits.
Her campaign video announcement on Friday reinforced that theme.
