Elise Stefanik 'strongly considers' NY gov run as Kathy Hochul faces low approval ratings

Chairwoman of the House Republican Leadership Elise Stefanik (R-NY) has said that she is "strongly considering" running for governor of New York. The upstate New York congresswoman was not able to clinch her nomination as ambassador to the United Nations when fears about the thin GOP majority in Congress led President Donald Trump to pull her nomination in March. New York Governor Kathy Hochul is facing low approval ratings.

When she was asked by political commentator Mark Levin about the topic, Stefanik responded, "I am strongly considering running for governor of New York state. I'm a born and bred New Yorker. I'm proud to be the highest ranking New York Republican who has really led the charge in holding New York elected Democrats accountable for their failures, whether it's the economic crisis in New York, the highest taxed state in the nation, the most unfriendly to small businesses, you're seeing a mass exodus of people who have been run out of the state because of Kathy Hochul failed policies.”

“On top of that, you're seeing a criminals first, an illegals first agenda fueled by Kathy Hochul. Whether it's our failed jail reform or whether it's sanctuary cities, we need a governor that supports law enforcement, that supports rule of law and, frankly, common sense. And then, of course, you see a corruption crisis in New York state, whether it's New York Democrat Governor after Governor or Tish James and she is rightfully being prosecuted by the Department of Justice for her alleged mortgage fraud," Stefanik added.

The comments to Levin come after Stefanik has made similar remarks about wanting to run for governor. According to the Daily Gazette, she said she was "strongly" considering running against Hochul in the next gubernatorial election.

She added at the time to reporters at Fort Ticonderoga, “It is clear we need a new-generation leader to step up and bring common sense and deliver results. The issues I hear from, not just in my district, but all across the state, people are struggling with high taxes in New York state. It’s an affordability crisis. If you look at utility rates, insurance rates, its running families and small businesses out of this state."

The usually deep blue Empire State has been showing signs of shifting to the right politically as New Yorkers have become dissatisfied with New York Governor Kathy Hochul. According to a GrayHouse poll conducted between April 22 and 28, only 36 percent of New Yorkers approve of her performance as governor. In 2024, President Donald Trump also increased his share of the vote compared to 2020 by six points.

“The rightward shift of New York, in particular New York City, has been happening since 2006,” said GrayHouse pollster Landon Wall told reporters. “There's this energy and this desire for something counter to the one party rule in New York that is separate from the Trump effect."