• Elise Stefanik announces her run for governor of New York in 2026 against Kathy Hochul.
• She labels Hochul "the worst governor in America" and criticizes New York's affordability.
• Stefanik aims to bring "a new generation of leadership" to Albany.
• Polling indicates mixed feelings among voters regarding Hochul's leadership.
• The Republican primary landscape remains uncertain ahead of the election.

Republican Representative Elise Stefanik has officially announced her campaign for governor of New York in the 2026 elections, challenging the incumbent Democratic Governor Kathy Hochul. Taking to social media, Stefanik described Hochul as "the worst governor in America" while emphasizing the state's affordability crisis, claiming New York is "the most unaffordable state in the nation" according to abcnews, bbc, reuters, and latimes.

In her announcement video, Stefanik criticized Hochul's late endorsement of New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani, linking her to a narrative that portrays Mamdani as part of a broader "radical" Democratic agenda. Stefanik has previously gained attention as a prominent supporter of former President Donald Trump, positioning herself as a key figure in Trump's administration and his "Make America Great Again" movement, according to bbc and reuters.

Polling data indicates a challenging battle ahead for Stefanik, with Hochul previously receiving 52% support compared to Stefanik's 27% in a hypothetical matchup. Nevertheless, dissatisfaction with Hochul's leadership has led to 51% of respondents expressing a desire for alternate candidates, as noted in polls mentioned by bbc and reuters.

Stefanik, who represents a solidly Republican district in upstate New York, has received backing from several county Republican chairs, indicating strong support within the party. Looking ahead, while the Democratic primary field is becoming clear with potential challengers to Hochul, the GOP landscape remains less defined at this early stage, according to abcnews and latimes.