Elise Stefanik Launches 2026 Campaign, Blasts ‘Toxic’ Hochul for ‘Bending the Knee’ to Socialist Mamdani [WATCH]

Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY) formally launched her campaign for New York governor on Friday, vowing to challenge Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul in 2026 while accusing the governor of failing New Yorkers and aligning with socialist leaders in her own party, as reported by The New York Post.

Speaking on Fox News’ “Fox & Friends,” Stefanik sharply criticized Hochul for supporting New York City’s Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani, a self-described socialist, ahead of his recent election win.

Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., formally announced Friday that she is running for governor of New York, vowing to make the state “affordable and safe for all” and promising to “fire Hochul” in a sharp rebuke of Democrat Gov. Kathy Hochul’s leadership. pic.twitter.com/LxeI2xzFBW

— NEWSMAX (@NEWSMAX) November 7, 2025

“When New Yorkers were looking for strong leadership from a governor not to bend the knee to Zohran Mandami, Kathy Hochul bent the knee,” Stefanik said. “Why did she do that? Because she is hemorrhaging support, even in her own party.”

Stefanik described Hochul as a “toxic governor” and cited her record as one that has “delivered the highest taxes in the nation,” harmed small businesses, and “turned her back on law enforcement.”

She said, “New York is in catastrophe because of Kathy Hochul’s leadership.”

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The upstate congresswoman officially declared her candidacy earlier Friday, telling supporters that New York has ‘fallen’ under Hochul’s leadership.

Stefanik, a strong ally of President Donald Trump, framed her campaign as a fight to restore prosperity and safety to the state.

“She is an accidental governor,” Stefanik said, referencing Hochul’s rise to the office following the resignation of Andrew Cuomo.

“I have a record of flipping a district that was previously held by a Democrat. I’ve won every primary and general election, and we’ve overperformed — winning not just Republicans but independents and a fair share of Democrats as well — because my record has been delivering results for families, for small businesses, for our veterans, for our farmers.”

WATCH: I just joined @foxandfriends to break the news to the Worst Governor in America @KathyHochul that her days of overseeing New York’s historic affordability crisis are numbered.

I’m running for Governor to fire Kathy Hochul and make New York affordable and safe. pic.twitter.com/iBXPoGB2dR

— Elise Stefanik (@EliseStefanik) November 7, 2025

Her campaign launch drew immediate praise from state Republican leaders. New York GOP Chair Ed Cox called Stefanik “a unifier and party builder with the brains, the guts and the resources to win.”

He added, “She is the warrior we need to lead the fight against Democrats’ corrupt Albany machine.”

Cox blamed Hochul’s administration for driving residents out of the state. “Thanks to Kathy Hochul and Democrats, New York leads the nation in outmigration as the most taxed, least free, least affordable state in America,” he said.

“There will not be a Republican primary, and 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.”

New York Senate Republican Leader Rob Ortt, joined by 11 GOP state senators, also endorsed Stefanik. “Elise Stefanik is the fighter New York needs,” Ortt said.

“She’s tough, smart, and unafraid to take on the radical left. Elise will make our state affordable again, bring good-paying jobs back to our state, crack down on crime, and stand up for hardworking New Yorkers who’ve been ignored for far too long.”

Hochul’s campaign responded by attacking Stefanik as “Donald Trump’s number one cheerleader.”

Hochul campaign communications director Sarafina Chitika said in a statement, “Sellout Stefanik is Donald Trump’s number one cheerleader in Congress and his right-hand woman in his war on New York: gutting health care, jacking up costs with expensive tariffs, and cutting funding for our police, schools, and hospitals.”

“While Stefanik puts Trump first and New York last, Governor Hochul is lowering costs, cutting middle-class taxes, and fighting for the New Yorkers Stefanik abandoned,” Chitika added.

The early clash between Stefanik and Hochul signals what is expected to be one of the most closely watched gubernatorial races in the country heading into 2026.

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