A big ally of President Donald Trump is ready to duke it out, politically speaking, to save New York from the commie-loving Democrats.
Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY) announced on Friday that she is running for governor of New York. Her announcement follows the Democrats’ significant victory with New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani, who won his election on Tuesday.
Stefanik is seen as one of the few Republicans who has a decent chance to defeat Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul. In the announcement on X, Stefanik said Hochul “is the Worst Governor in America” and that “Under her failed leadership, New York is the most unaffordable state in the nation with the highest taxes, highest energy, utilities, rent, and grocery bills.”
Stefanik released a video in which the narrator proclaims, “The Empire State has fallen,” and that “People are just going crazy over the amount of taxes here.” He added, “There’s no question, New York is facing an affordability crisis.”
A different narrator then says, “the tax base has been fleeing the Empire State” and that “top leaders in New York City say a wave of migrant crime has washed over the city. Foreign gang members terrorizing innocent New Yorkers.” More:
Kathy Hochul made New York the most unaffordable state in the nation, crushing families with sky-high taxes, unaffordable rent, soaring energy ,costs and record-high grocery bills, and cozied up to a defund the police, tax-hiking, antisemitic Communist.
Kathy Hochul is the Worst Governor in America. Under her failed leadership, New York is the most unaffordable state in the nation with the highest taxes, highest energy, utilities, rent, and grocery bills. When New Yorkers were looking for leadership from our Governor, she bent… pic.twitter.com/HXyQlNIjEj
— Elise Stefanik (@EliseStefanik) November 7, 2025
Hochul responded to Stefanik’s announcement, releasing a statement labeling her President Donald Trump’s “number one cheerleader in Congress and his right-hand woman in his war on New York.” As if that’s a bad thing.
Stefanik is considered a strong potential candidate to challenge Hochul. Recent polls indicate a tight race between them. A survey by the Manhattan Institute showed Stefanik leading Hochul 43% to 42%.
The lawmaker is gaining support as Hochul’s approval ratings decline, prompting demands for new leadership in New York. If Stefanik wins, she would be the first Republican governor in nearly two decades.
With a self-described socialist now running New York City – with Hochul’s blessing, by the way – Stefanik may be the last best chance New Yorkers have to save their state in a generation.
