NEW YORK (BLOOMBERG) — Republican US Representative Elise Stefanik is weighing a run for New York governor in 2026, a person familiar with the matter said.
Stefanik, who represents a mostly rural region upstate, was originally tapped by President Donald Trump to become ambassador to the United Nations in November. That was nixed last month to protect the slim majority in the House.
“Congresswoman Elise Stefanik is GREAT!!!” Trump posted on Truth Social earlier on Wednesday.
Kathy Hochul, the Democratic governor, is expected to seek a second full term. A poll released Tuesday by the Marist Institute for Public Opinion in Poughkeepsie had Hochul’s approval rating among New Yorkers stuck at 39%.
George Pataki, whose term ended in 2007, was the last New York Republican governor. Before that, the last Republican governor was Nelson Rockefeller, who left that office in 1973.
There was no immediate comment from Stefanik aides. But as a featured speaker at a New York Republican event in Manhattan on Tuesday, Stefanik, 40, hinted she’s taking a more statewide focus as she bemoaned what she considers a flight of families from the state.
“It feels like someone is asking, ‘Will the last one out of New York please turn the lights off?’” she said. “And I’m here to say, not on our watch. It is time to save New York.”
Stefanik raised $15.4 million in 2024, about triple the average for an incumbent House member, according to OpenSecrets. Among her biggest sources of funds were the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, which directs its supporters to donate to pro-Israel candidates, and conservative groups. She was the top House recipient of donations from anti-abortion groups and ranked second in donations from backers of gun rights.
Hochul is also a strong fundraiser, with $15.5 million cash on hand in her campaign account as of the last six-month filing period in January.
Another House Republican, Representative Mike Lawler, who represents a suburban district north of New York City, is also eyeing a run for governor. The 38-year-old tends to be more moderate and isn’t considered a close Trump ally, which could be a benefit against Stefanik in a statewide primary and potentially attract independent voters and even Democrats in a general election.
— With assistance from Bill Allison and Laura Nahmias