Gov. Kathy Hochul (D-NY) wasted no time clapping back at Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY) the morning the Republican launched her bid for governor of New York, calling Stefanik a “sellout” to President Donald Trump.
In a video posted one minute after Stefanik’s launch video dropped, Hochul says the Republican congresswoman is Trump’s “top ally” in Congress.
“Now Elise Stefanik is running for governor of New York to do what she has always done: put Trump first,” Hochul’s video states.
It included a clip of Trump calling Stefanik “phenomenal” and a “friend of mine.”
“Phenomenal at putting Trump ahead of you,” the video continues, arguing that Stefanik cast the deciding vote for the One Big Beautiful Bill Act that was signed into law in July — something the congresswoman herself claims.
Stefanik launched her long-awaited bid for the governor’s mansion on Friday morning in a 2 1/2-minute video titled “From the Ashes.” In it, she blasted Hochul on affordability, high taxes, and illegal immigrant crime.
Stefanik has been using her House seat, which she has held since 2015, as a de facto campaign bully pulpit to attack Hochul for months. Her crusade against the New York incumbent gained momentum in the spring after Trump withdrew her nomination to serve as United Nations ambassador, citing Republicans’ narrow House margins.
Following the nomination, she pulled out of the public eye on the House floor for a while. After Trump’s nomination of Stefanik was pulled on March 27, she refrained from voting in the House until April 9. She was named chairwoman of House Republican leadership, appearing to be an olive branch to keep her in the top ranks of the chamber, but Stefanik has not been present at any of the press conferences held by leadership during the last 37 days of the government shutdown.
Stefanik did not narrate her launch video, a feature typical of most campaign launches, in which the candidate speaks directly to appeal to the voter. Hochul’s response video did not include her voice, either, though the governor has not announced she is running for reelection.
Hochul, now facing competition from the Right, is also facing a primary challenge from Lt. Gov. Antonio Delgado (D-NY).
Polling at the beginning of October found Hochul leading Stefanik, 48%-43%, in the blue state. But Hochul’s strategy of tying Stefanik to Trump could be key to driving voter turnout and attracting centrist or conservative voters who do not agree with the president’s agenda.
Hochul also has the advantages of being an incumbent and 2026 being a midterm election cycle. Historically, Republicans have struggled to get voters out in non-presidential years, especially since Trump entered the political arena.
ELISE STEFANIK LAUNCHES LONG-AWAITED BID FOR NEW YORK GOVERNOR
Democrats swept Tuesday’s elections, with voters choosing New York Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani in a landslide to succeed outgoing Democratic Mayor Eric Adams. Democrats also won the gubernatorial races in New Jersey and Virginia. The party is messaging this as a sign that voters are rejecting Trump’s policies, while Republicans are arguing that it is not indicative that they will lose in the midterm elections.
Mamdani’s victory gives Stefanik an edge when it comes to messaging, given Hochul endorsed him, and he is a socialist. Republicans are working to tie Mamdani to every Democrat on the ballot for 2026 already, arguing that socialism will spread throughout the country and that Mamdani is the new Democratic Party leader.