UPDATE: Just hours after announcing her candidacy for the New York governor race in 2026, Republican U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik has garnered overwhelming support from GOP leaders across the state. In a significant show of force, 56 county Republican chairs have endorsed her campaign, representing over 72% of the weighted vote, positioning her as the frontrunner to challenge incumbent Gov. Kathy Hochul next year.
Stefanik expressed her gratitude during a Friday afternoon press conference, stating, “I am incredibly grateful for the overwhelming outpouring of support all across New York. After serving New York families for over a decade in Congress and helping to support Republican candidates up and down the ballot, we have the infrastructure and support to mount the most unified campaign for a Republican candidate to defeat Kathy Hochul to save our state.”
In addition to county chairs, Stefanik has secured endorsements from Ed Cox, the state Republican Party Chair, and 34 Republican members of the state Assembly, including Minority Leader Will Barclay. This coalition is crucial as she seeks to end what has been 20 years of Democratic leadership in New York’s executive mansion.
The support for Stefanik extends beyond the GOP; Gerard Kassar, Chairman of the State Conservative Party, noted, “The critical mass of support for Congresswoman Stefanik ensures that she will be the Conservative Party nominee for governor.”
Currently, no other significant Republican candidates have officially entered the race, although the window remains open for challengers. In 2022, former Rep. Lee Zeldin was the early favorite for the GOP nomination, but he faced intense competition in the primary. The state GOP plans to hold a convention early next year to formally nominate their candidate.
Stefanik has represented New York’s 21st Congressional District in the North Country for the last ten years. Her campaign aims to unseat Hochul, who is running for a second full term, amidst a competitive Democratic field that includes at least one challenger from her own party.
As the political landscape shifts, all eyes will be on Stefanik’s next moves and the unfolding dynamics leading to the state GOP convention. With endorsements rolling in and a strong grassroots network, her campaign is poised to make waves in New York politics as the race heats up. Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story.
