US Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY) launched her 2026 gubernatorial campaign Friday, pledging to “clean up Kathy Hochul’s catastrophe” and make New York “safe and affordable” if elected to Albany.
“The Empire State has fallen,” the narrator intones in Stefanik’s dramatic campaign kickoff video, obtained exclusively by The Post.
Imagery of Hochul juxtaposed with bleak headlines describing New York’s high tax rates, migrant crime and the “exodus of middle-class” residents mark the first 60 seconds or so of the 2½-minute video.
Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY) officially entered the 2026 gubernatorial race on Friday. Elise Stefanik/YouTube
Rep. Elise Stefanik officially announced her run for governor of New York on Friday, November 7, 2025. Elise Stefanik/YouTube
“Kathy Hochul’s failed policies are to blame,” the narrator continues, arguing that the Democratic incumbent has made New York “the most unaffordable state in the nation, crushing families with sky-high taxes, unaffordable rent, soaring energy costs and record-high grocery bills.”
Stefanik’s video slams the governor’s support for New York City’s Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani, accusing her of having “cozied up” to a “defund-the-police, tax-hiking, antisemitic Communist.”
The launch video, titled “From the Ashes,” asserts that “New York will rise, like we always do,” with Stefanik in charge.
“The spirit of the Empire State cannot be broken. All we need is a courageous leader ready for the fight,” the ad continues. “Elise Stefanik will make New York affordable and safe.”
Stefanik is pledging to reverse what she called Gov. Kathy Hochul’s “catastrophe” and prioritize safety and affordability in New York. Elise Stefanik/YouTube
Stefanik is described as a “working mom, congresswoman and fighter” who “knows families need more help.”
“She’ll make New York affordable,” the narrator reiterates. “Elise will reduce your energy utility and grocery bills.”
A screenshot from Elise Stefanik’s campaign video announcing her run for governor. Elise Stefanik/YouTube
The video alludes to Stefanik’s successful effort to increase the state and local tax deduction cap to $40,000, and her fierce questioning of university presidents on Capitol Hill amid a spate of antisemitic incidents on college campuses in recent years.
“She fought woke insanity in our schools, stood proudly with law enforcement, championed small businesses and will never back down from fighting for New York families,” the narrator continues.
The ad slams Hochul’s “failed policies” for making New York “the most unaffordable state in America,” burdening families with “sky-high taxes and soaring costs.” Elise Stefanik/YouTube
“With everything on the line, we need someone who will deliver results and make New York affordable and safe for families and small businesses, to not just survive, but thrive.”
The video promises voters that Stefanik will “restore New York’s greatness,” and concludes with her apparent campaign motto: “Elise Stefanik for governor. It’s time to save New York.”
Stefanik addresses the virtual 2020 Republican National Convention. Photo Courtesy of the Committee
“We have crisscrossed the state. The overwhelming outpouring of support from Republicans, independents and Democrats is that we need a new governor to save our state,” Stefanik told The Post Thursday.
Stefanik has been eagerly prepping a Hochul challenge, assembling an “all-star” team of New York-native strategists and staff in key regions — as polls have started showing her neck and neck against the Democratic incumbent in a hypothetical showdown.
The high-profile upstate congresswoman — a fierce ally of President Trump — is seeking to become the first Republican leader of the Empire State in 20 years.
A screenshot of Elise Stefanik from her campaign video. Elise Stefanik/YouTube
“Sellout Stefanik is Donald Trump’s number one cheerleader in Congress and his right-hand woman in his war on New York: gutting health care, jacking up costs with expensive tariffs, and cutting funding for our police, schools, and hospitals,” said Hochul campaign communications director Sarafina Chitika.
“Apparently, screwing over New Yorkers in Congress wasn’t enough — now she’s trying to bring Trump’s chaos and skyrocketing costs to our state. While Stefanik puts Trump first and New York last, Governor Hochul is lowering costs, cutting middle-class taxes, and fighting for the New Yorkers Stefanik abandoned.”