Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY) announced her new PAC, “Save New York,” in a bid to shore up local New York Republican races as she approaches a decision on whether to run for governor of the state.
The move is another from Stefanik that indicates she is seriously considering running against Gov. Kathy Hochul (D-NY) in 2026 by currying favor with Republican leaders across the state.
“We have a once in a generation opportunity to SAVE NEW YORK,” Stefanik posted on X Wednesday morning. “After years of failed single party Democrat rule led by the worst Governor in America Kathy Hochul, New Yorkers are ready for strong, commonsense Republican leadership up and down the ballot.”
“And then in 2026, we will make history and FIRE KATHY HOCHUL once and for all,” she concluded.
Stefanik hasn’t announced a bid, telling Politico she is “going to make the decision in the coming months.” The outlet also reported that money will be transferred from Stefanik’s campaign account to Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman’s campaign. Blakeman is viewed as another gubernatorial contender.
Rep. Mike Lawler (R-NY) is also a notable contender and took a subtle shot at Stefanik on Wednesday morning. “Elise would make a great candidate. … The question is who can win [in the general election],” he said on 77 WABC. Lawler was recently endorsed by President Donald Trump for reelection in his House district.
Stefanik’s PAC will only help her if she chooses to launch a gubernatorial campaign. She’s proven herself as an adept fundraiser, raising millions of dollars in past years as a top House Republican.
“It used to be all politics is local. Unfortunately, all politics has become national,” Rep. Nick Langworthy (R-NY) told Politico. “If she can focus some of that back on our Republican infrastructure in New York, it will help pave the momentum for what we have to do in 2026.”
Hochul has largely ignored Stefanik’s possible gubernatorial candidacy, though the governor took a shot at her and Rep. Claudia Tenney (R-NY) for a letter to the DOJ concerning the state’s gun laws. In a post on X, Hochul singled Stefanik out.
“New York’s common-sense gun laws prevent these tragedies from occurring,” she wrote. “But Representative Stefanik doesn’t care – she’d rather put politics over people’s lives.”
Thirty-six percent of New York voters in a May poll wanted Hochul re-elected, while 55% wanted “someone else.”
That someone else could come in the form of Lt. Gov. Antonio Delgado (D-NY), who declared his 2026 candidacy on Monday. “People are hurting and New York deserves better leadership,” Delgado told the New York Times. “There’s an absence of bold, decisive, transformational leadership.”
Stefanik pointed out Delgado’s announcement in a shot at Hochul.
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“Her own lieutenant governor that she hand picked is now primarying her which shows she has lost support not just from Republicans and Independents, but Democrat New Yorkers as well,” she said in a statement.
“It is time for new leadership to save New York from the decades of catastrophic failed policies of single-party Democrat rule,” she added. “Let’s FIRE HOCHUL in 2026.”