Photo: DOMINIC GWINN / AFP / Getty Images
Republican Representative Elise Stefanik officially announced her candidacy for New York governor on Friday (November 7). In a campaign video, Stefanik criticized Democratic Governor Kathy Hochul, focusing on issues of affordability and public safety. The video highlighted Hochul's support for New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani, a self-described democratic socialist, and accused Hochul of making New York the most unaffordable state in the nation.
Stefanik, a staunch ally of President Donald Trump, did not mention him in her campaign video, although she has been a vocal supporter in the past. She first entered Congress in 2014 as the youngest woman ever elected to the House and has since risen through the ranks of GOP leadership.
According to NBC News, Stefanik has been preparing for this run for months, securing endorsements from key Republican figures. She enters the race as the first high-profile Republican candidate and is expected to face a challenging campaign in the traditionally Democratic state.
Stefanik's announcement comes as Trump persuaded Representative Mike Lawler to remain in the House, effectively clearing the primary field for her. Despite the challenges, Stefanik's campaign is well-funded, with more than $13 million in cash on hand, as reported by CNN.
In response to Stefanik's announcement, the Democratic Governors Association criticized her alignment with Trump and predicted her defeat in the upcoming election, as noted by The Guardian. Hochul, seeking her second full term, is also facing a primary challenge from her lieutenant governor, Antonio Delgado.