Stefanik decries Hochul as 'worst governor in America' in fiery 2026 campaign launch

Rep Elise Stefanik R-N Y officially launched her campaign for New York governor on Friday pledging to make the state affordable and safe The top House Republican is entering the race to challenge Democratic Gov Kathy Hochul Kathy Hochul is the worst governor in America Stefanik reported Friday on Fox Friends New York is the most of unaffordable state in the nation with the highest taxes the highest vitality bills the highest utility bills she added Stefanik s campaign launch shakes up the race in one of the nation s bluest states Her early platform centers on crime taxes and affordability across the Empire State MAMDANI SPARKS ONLINE FRENZY OVER RESPONSE TO WHETHER HE ENDORSES NY GOV HOCHUL 'HUMILIATING'Hochul fired back at her feasible rival The Democratic governor has indicated she will seek re-election though she has not yet made a formal announcement Our campaign s message to Trump s No cheerleader Bring it on Hochul commented calling Stefanik a accident for New York Stefanik who represents a conservative-leaning district in upstate New York has often criticized Democratic leaders within her state In the last few days she targeted New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani a self-proclaimed Democratic socialist KEY TRUMP ALLY JUMPS INTO NEW YORK GOVERNOR'S RACE DAYS AFTER SHOCKING MAMDANI MAYORAL CONQUEST we saw a raging anti-Semite pro-Hamas communist who wants to raise taxes and frankly he barely won the majority of New York City voters Stefanik described Fox Friends Kathy Hochul endorsed him and bent the knee She has failed New Yorkers Hochul became New York s first female governor in after then-Gov Andrew Cuomo resigned amid sexual harassment assertions She won a full term in defeating Republican challenger Lee Zeldin The race is expected to be one of the largest part closely watched statewide contests in the country