According to reports, Stefanik has been working behind the scenes to get support from influential Republicans and municipal authorities. However, the statement was made three days after voters in New York City chose Zohran Mamdani, a democratic socialist who is ideologically and politically opposed to him, to lead the state's largest city.
The politician, who has served as the House representative for her district for ten years, has recently intensified her criticism of Democratic governor Kathy Hochul on social media, claiming that she "bent the knee to Commie Mamdani."
In a social media post announcing her bid, she reiterated those assertions.
“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 the knee to the raging Defund the Police, Tax Hiking Communist causing catastrophe for New York families,”
she said.
In an interview on Fox News after announcing her bid, Stefanik again sought to tie Hochul who is facing a challenge for the Democratic nomination from the state’s progressive lieutenant governor, Antony Delgado to mayor-elect Mamdani, whom Hochul endorsed but has not received the compliment in return.
“She’s an accidental governor,”
Stefanik said. “She’s only in this position because she was … lieutenant governor” to former governor Andrew Cuomo, who resigned in 2021 amid a sexual harassment scandal and was beaten by eight points in New York City’s mayoral race on Tuesday by Mamdani.
According to Stefanik, Hochul endorsed Mamdani "because she is hemorrhaging support even in her own party among Democrats."
In addition to launching the microsite SelloutStefanik.com, Hochul's election team promptly published a video of itself denouncing Stefanik.
Stefanik was the president's "number one cheerleader in Congress and his right-hand woman in his war on New York: gutting healthcare, jacking up costs with expensive tariffs, and cutting funding for our police, schools, and hospitals," according to Hochul's campaign spokesperson Sarafina Chitika, who spoke to City & State.
Stefanik, who describes herself as "ultra-Maga" and "proud of it," wasn't always a supporter of Trump. In 2014, at the age of thirty, she became the youngest woman elected to a congressional seat. She had a mediocre voting record in the beginning.
In response to initial reports that Stefanik was going to announce her run, the Democratic Governors Association (DGA) said:
“Stefanik has spent her career selling out New Yorkers to Donald Trump – and that is exactly why she is going to lose to Kathy Hochul next November.
From gutting healthcare to backing cost-raising tariffs, Stefanik’s record as Trump’s cheerleader in chief could not be more toxic with New York voters. It’s no wonder even Republicans have admitted that ‘ultra-Maga’ Stefanik is a uniquely flawed general election candidate. Bring it on, Elise.”
How might Stefanik's candidacy affect the 2026 New York GOP primary?
At 41, Stefanik represents New York's 21st congressional district and rose to elevation as one of Trump’s most oral sympathizers during his indictment proceedings in 2019. Her crusade ties Hochul to progressive numbers similar to recently tagged NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani, painting them as out of touch with mainstream choosers.
Her entry into the race has amped Democratic choosers across the state, especially suburban and independent choosers, and she's formerly polling competitively against peremptory Governor Kathy Hochul.
Still, she may face challenges in rallying full party concinnity, particularly among further moderate Republicans cautious of her close association with Trump. The primary dynamics will probably revolve around whether contenders can present a feasible volition to Stefanik’s high- profile, Trump-aligned training or if she consolidates GOP support beforehand.