New York Congresswoman Elise Stefanik came out swinging Friday, torching Governor Kathy Hochul for “bending the knee” to New York City’s socialist Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani — and in the same breath, officially launching her 2026 bid for governor.
Appearing on Fox & Friends, the fired-up Republican from upstate didn’t hold back.
“When New Yorkers were looking for strong leadership from a governor not to bend the knee to Zohran Mandami, Kathy Hochul bent the knee,” Stefanik said. “Why did she do that? Because she is hemorrhaging support, even in her own party.”
Stefanik slammed Hochul’s record as “toxic,” accusing her of delivering the highest taxes in the nation, turning her back on law enforcement, and running New York into catastrophe.
“This is a toxic governor who has a record of delivering the highest taxes in the nation, of hurting hard working New Yorkers, of turning her back on law enforcement officers and small businesses,” Stefanik said. “New York is in catastrophe because of Kathy Hochul’s leadership.”
The congresswoman made it official earlier in the day, declaring that the Empire State had “fallen” under Democratic rule — and that she’s the one to flip it red for the first time in two decades.
“I have a record of flipping a district that was previously held by a Democrat,” Stefanik said. “I’ve won every primary and general election, and we’ve over performed — winning not just Republicans but independents and a fair share of Democrats as well.”
Her message: results, not rhetoric.
New York GOP Chair Ed Cox quickly threw his weight behind Stefanik, calling her “a unifier and party builder with the brains, the guts, and the resources to win.”
“She has fought for our principles every day of her career and never backs down. She is the warrior we need to lead the fight against Democrats’ corrupt Albany machine,” Cox said.
Cox torched Hochul’s record, too — pointing out that under her watch, New York leads the nation in outmigration, taxes, and cost of living.
“There will not be a Republican primary,” Cox added confidently. “A year from now, Elise will lead our team to victory over Kathy Hochul, end one-party Democrat rule, and make New York affordable again.”
Stefanik’s campaign launch was less a press conference than a political thunderclap — and judging by her fire, Hochul’s storm season just began.
Watch the clips below:
“MAKE NEW YORK AFFORDABLE AND SAFE AGAIN.”@RepStefanik announces her run for New York governor — and joins @FoxNews to break down her platform. pic.twitter.com/jbhIsrBOeL
— FOX & Friends (@foxandfriends) November 7, 2025
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
