Overview
- Stefanik unveiled a launch video accusing Gov. Kathy Hochul of making New York unaffordable, linking her to NYC mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani, and promising to make the state affordable and safe, with no mention of President Trump.
- Hochul and Democratic officials immediately countered, labeling Stefanik Trump's “top ally” and asserting she would put the president before New Yorkers.
- Stefanik’s team touted endorsements from more than half of GOP county chairs and state party chair Ed Cox, who predicted no Republican primary, though Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman is considering a run.
- Surveys conflict on competitiveness: a September Siena poll showed Hochul up by about 25 points, an October Manhattan Institute poll showed Stefanik ahead by one, and a Stefanik-aligned internal poll found a narrower gap.
- New York has not elected a Republican governor since George Pataki’s 2002 victory, and Hochul also faces a 2026 Democratic primary challenge from Lt. Gov. Antonio Delgado.