‘We Must FIRE Kathy Hochul’: Rising Republican Star Signals Run For NY Governor

Congresswoman Elise Stefanik (R-NY) is reportedly weighing a run for New York governor and signaled that she could jump into the race with a statement on Wednesday blasting New York Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul.

Stefanik, who served as House Republican Conference chair from 2021 to 2025, steadily rose through the ranks of the GOP after first winning her seat in 2014. The Republican Congresswoman has been encouraged to run for governor by New York Republicans and some of Trump’s allies, POLITICO reported, citing “two people familiar with her thinking.” On Wednesday, Stefanik blasted Hochul, pointing to new polling from Marist that shows the Democratic governor’s approval rating at 39%.

“This latest bombshell polling proves what every New Yorker already knows: that we must FIRE Kathy Hochul in 2026 to SAVE NEW YORK,” Stefanik wrote. “Hochul is the Worst Governor in America and it’s not even close.”

“Her incompetence, corruption, and radical failed Far Left policies have destroyed our great state causing businesses and families to flee from crushing high taxes, out of control regulations, inept fiscal mismanagement, wide open border sanctuary city policies putting illegals first and NYers last, and an out of control crime crisis due to Democrats’ failed bail reform defund the police policies,” Stefanik added. “This polling shows that we can WIN & SAVE NEW YORK.”

The Marist poll also showed that 57% of New Yorkers “do not want Hochul to run for re-election in 2026,” a number that includes 40% of Democrats. Sixty-four percent of the state’s voters say that New York’s economy is deteriorating, which is a big spike from the 51% who said the same a year ago.

President Donald Trump praised Stefanik in an early morning Truth Social post on Wednesday, writing without context, “Congresswoman Elise Stefanik is GREAT!!!”

Stefanik, who has been a loyal supporter of Trump, was tapped by the president to serve as U.N. ambassador in the new Trump administration, but her nomination was pulled as Trump deemed it more important to keep her in the House and “maintain EVERY Republican Seat in Congress.” Stefanik’s 21st Congressional District is a competitive area, and Democrats held the seat for more than 20 straight years before Stefanik took it back for the GOP.

Hochul, who took over after former Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo resigned amid sexual misconduct allegations in 2021, has already declared her candidacy for 2026. Former Democratic Rep. Jamaal “fire alarm” Bowman has hinted at a potential run for governor, as has Democratic Rep. Ritchie Torres.

If Stefanik jumps into the race, she would likely be the leading Republican candidate. Rep. Mike Lawler (R-NY) is also reportedly mulling a run.