NEW YORK (1010 WINS) — Bronx Rep. Ritchie Torres has not ruled out challenging Gov. Kathy Hochul in the 2026 gubernatorial race, as New York State and City face what he called a “crisis of governance.”
Torres said on Wednesday that he was frustrated with the New York government, “as are most New Yorkers.” He dodged a question directly asking his feelings about Hochul, but said that government and leadership was in trouble at the city, state and national level.
“I’ve made no final decision as to where my future lies, but I’m concerned about the crisis of governance we have in New York State and New York City,” Torres told Spectrum News. “We have a leadership crisis in America and nowhere is it more profound than in New York.”
When pushed on the issue of his potential candidacy, he said “That’s all you’re going to get from me.”
Torres, who represents New York’s 15th Congressional District from the South Bronx to Riverdale, said that President-elect Donald Trump’s victory in the 2024 presidential election was a warning sign for incumbent Democrats, nationally and in Albany.
“I think part of the story of the election is an indictment of misgovernance in New York State and New York City,” Torres said. “With few exceptions, nowhere was there a greater swing toward Donald Trump than in New York, which was a vote of no confidence in the leadership of New York State.”