UPDATE: Hours after announcing her candidacy for New York governor in 2026, Republican U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik has garnered significant support from GOP leaders statewide, positioning her as the frontrunner to challenge current Governor Kathy Hochul.
Just this afternoon, Stefanik revealed that 56 county Republican chairs, representing over 72% of the weighted vote, have officially endorsed her campaign. This overwhelming backing signals a strong push for her to become the party’s preferred nominee ahead of the election.
“I am incredibly grateful for the overwhelming outpouring of support all across New York,” Stefanik stated. “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 local endorsements, she has secured support from state Republican Party Chair Ed Cox and a significant majority of the state Assembly’s Republican members, including Minority Leader Will Barclay. This coalition further strengthens her position as she prepares for the upcoming race.
Stefanik’s campaign is also gaining traction beyond the Republican circle. State Conservative Party Chairman Gerard Kassar noted, “The critical mass of support for Congresswoman Stefanik ensures that she will be the Conservative Party nominee for governor.” This endorsement highlights her appeal across various factions of the state’s political landscape.
As of now, no other major Republican candidates have stepped forward to challenge Stefanik for the nomination, although the window remains open for other contenders to enter the race. In the 2022 gubernatorial election, former Rep. Lee Zeldin initially emerged as the GOP favorite but faced a primary challenge against three other candidates before securing the nomination.
The New York GOP is set to hold a convention early next year to formally nominate their candidate, making the next few months crucial for Stefanik as she seeks to unify the party against Hochul, who is campaigning for a second full term.
Stefanik represents New York’s expansive 21st Congressional District in the North Country and has served in Congress for over a decade. Her entrance into the gubernatorial race aims to challenge nearly 20 years of Democratic leadership in the state, as Hochul faces at least one challenger within her own party, her lieutenant governor.
With the political landscape rapidly changing, all eyes will be on Stefanik’s campaign as she works to consolidate GOP support and prepare for a high-stakes battle against Hochul in the upcoming election. Stay tuned for further developments on this evolving story.
