Key Trump ally jumps into New York governor's race days after shocking Mamdani mayoral victory

Rep. Elise Stefanik, a prominent Republican and close ally of former President Donald Trump, is officially launching her campaign for New York governor on Friday. She enters the 2026 race as a challenger to incumbent Democratic Governor Kathy Hochul, whom Stefanik has repeatedly criticized as "the worst governor in America." Stefanik's announcement follows the recent victory of Zohran Mamdani, a progressive Democrat, in the New York City mayoral race, a win that Stefanik links to Hochul's policies. Stefanik, who represents an upstate New York district, has been considering a gubernatorial run for months and has stated that she has received significant support across the state. She plans to focus her campaign on the issue of affordability, arguing that Hochul has made New York the most expensive state in the nation due to high taxes and living costs. Stefanik aims to present a clear economic vision for Republicans to counter Democratic victories in recent elections that also emphasized affordability. The Republican candidate has evolved from a past critic to a staunch defender of Donald Trump. While Trump had briefly considered her for UN Ambassador after his 2024 victory, her departure from the House was deemed too risky for the GOP's narrow majority. A Republican has not won a New York gubernatorial race in over two decades, with the last being George Pataki's re-election in 2002. ... download the app to read more