Stefanik Frames 2026 Governor’s Race as ‘Existential Battle’ to Save New York, Western Civilization from Socialism
Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.) described the 2026 New York gubernatorial election as an “existential battle” to save both New York and “Western civilization” from socialism, in an interview with The Post’s Rich Calder. Stefanik discussed her decision to challenge Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) and outlined her vision for the state’s leadership.
Q: Under the state constitution, governors can suspend or remove elected officials from office. Is that something you’d consider doing with socialist NYC Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani if elected governor?
A: “If elected governor, I will follow the New York State Constitution, which lays out a process. It is not based upon ideology. The Constitution is very specific about that process. … When we win, I will follow the Constitution and make an assessment.”
Q: How do you address the fact that former President Trump is unpopular in parts of New York—especially New York City? Hochul is already using your alliance with Trump to raise money from Democrats.
A: “Hochul’s campaign is helping us turn out low-propensity voters, which will be a key part of our electoral strategy. The reality is Kathy Hochul got about 3.1 million votes in New York, and Donald Trump got nearly 3.6 million. This race is going to be won on voter turnout, and it’s going to be won on a referendum on Kathy Hochul. … Her name is on the ballot. My name will be on the ballot, and she is less popular than Donald Trump is in New York State.”
Stefanik Calls 2026 New York Governor’s Race an ‘Existential Battle’ to Save the State
Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.) framed the 2026 gubernatorial election as an “existential battle” to save New York, citing concerns over affordability, safety, and Democratic leadership.
Q: If you beat Hochul, do you plan to reverse congestion pricing?
A: “Oh, absolutely. That is going to be a major part of my platform. It is a commuter tax. It is a tax on working New Yorkers, and it’s devastating the economy of New York City.”
Q: Why did you decide to enter the governor’s race—and why now?
A: “I am running to save New York. We have seen two decades of Democrats in the governor’s seat, and what has happened? The state has become the most unaffordable in the nation and one of the most unsafe. Because of Kathy Hochul’s failed leadership, we have the highest taxes, the highest energy and utility costs, the highest rent, and the highest grocery bills. Business friendliness ranks at the bottom. On safety, failed bail reform has led to daily violent crimes against law-abiding New Yorkers.
“New Yorkers are outraged, and I decided to run because I want to save the state I love. I’m born and raised in upstate New York, and I understand the state has traditionally leaned Democratic. But when I first ran for Congress over a decade ago, no one thought I could win. I took a Democrat seat, won the most expensive primary in the country, and then won the general election by over 20 points. We built a coalition of Republicans, independents, and Democrats, and since then, I’ve put up some of the largest margins in the Northeast with the highest voter turnout in my district.”
Q: You’ve said much of the support for your gubernatorial bid has come from Democrats—can you expand on that?
A: “Kathy Hochul is seeing the same polling we are: among registered Democrats, she cannot reach 50%. That is why she endorsed Mamdani and bowed to him to try to coalesce the Democratic base and appease the far left. It was politically toxic and energized opposition among traditional Democrats, independents, and Republicans.
“Mamdani’s win, while just above 50% in a three-way race, was still an underperformance for a Democratic nominee in New York City, who normally polls in the high 60s or 70s. Hochul’s approval ratings have cratered. Some of her top bundlers and donors are now supporting my campaign, which will be revealed in our end-of-year filings. They want a strong governor who can represent common-sense values for all of New York—to save New York City and the rest of the state.”
Stefanik Criticizes Hochul, Mamdani, Calls 2026 Election an ‘Existential Battle’ for New York
Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.) has repeatedly called Gov. Kathy Hochul the “worst governor in the USA” and predicted that Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani could become the nation’s worst mayor. She argued that Hochul’s endorsement of Mamdani will ultimately hurt her politically.
Q: Do you think Mamdani being mayor helps your campaign, and Republicans nationwide, assuming he struggles in office?
A: “I want New York City to succeed. It’s the most important and meaningful city, not just in the state, but in the world. We need a healthy, safe, vibrant, capitalist New York City. Families should be able to thrive without being crushed by high taxes, regulatory burdens, and the ‘defund the police’ policies that make the city increasingly unsafe.
“I will continue holding Hochul accountable every single day for her refusal to condemn Mamdani’s positions. She hasn’t condemned his calls to defund the police, his comments that Hamas should not lay down their arms, his campaigning with the unindicted co-conspirator of the 1993 World Trade Center bombing, or his proposal to abolish private property. Mark my words: she will break her promise not to raise taxes because the far left will extract it from her.”
Q: But do you think his successes or failures will affect your campaign?
A: “Yes. We’re holding him accountable, and it will expose what Hochul has brought to New York City. At the time when the governor needed to show strength and common sense, she endorsed Mamdani. If he fails, voters will see there is a better way—a strong governor focused on making New York affordable and safe.”
Q: Do you see yourself running not only against Hochul but also Mamdani? Is this race about preventing New York from turning socialist?
A: “This is an existential battle for New York and for Western civilization. It’s the most important election New York will have had in my lifetime, much like 2024 was historically significant nationally. This election is a referendum on Hochul, who is tied ‘lock, stock, and barrel’ to Mamdani—every position and every catastrophic mistake he makes.
“You’re already seeing rising crime, and a mass exodus of businesses and families who are either fearful of Mamdani or concerned about his proposals to raise taxes, making New York even less affordable than it already is.”
Stefanik Pledges Fracking, Tax Cuts, and Reversal of Congestion Pricing if Elected Governor
Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.) told The Post that if elected governor, she would lift New York’s fracking moratorium, fight to remove the congestion tolling scheme in New York City, and implement tax cuts to address affordability.
Q: You called Hochul “the worst governor in the USA.” Do you feel Mamdani will be the worst mayor in the USA?
A: “Oh, yes, absolutely. And Kathy Hochul has earned that label. She’s an accidental governor. She was a town board member in Hamburg—which just flipped Republican—a one-term member of Congress who was fired by her constituents, and a lieutenant governor because Cuomo wanted a weak lieutenant from western New York. Then she became governor by default in 2021. In 2022, she was a generic, unknown Democrat, and Lee Zeldin came within six points of beating her. Now she’s known and despised, underwater in every media market across New York State, and our polling confirms those numbers.”
Q: Are you concerned about Trump’s lack of popularity in New Jersey affecting the governor’s race?
A: “Mikie Sherrill wasn’t an incumbent governor the way Hochul is. I’ve served with Sherrill. Hochul is abysmal—bottom of the barrel. She’s embattled and being primaried by her own handpicked lieutenant governor. She owns the catastrophic economic and safety policies in New York State.”
Q: Will you bring fracking to New York?
A: “Absolutely. Day 1, I will lift the moratorium on fracking. We need American and New York energy independence. Hochul’s energy policies are a major driver of the affordability crisis. She has blocked fracking, banned gas stoves, and stalled pipelines. Utilizing New York’s natural resources will lower costs for families, create thousands of upstate jobs—especially in the Southern Tier—and boost the economy.”
Q: How will you address the cost-of-living issue, and is it the top concern for voters?
A: “First, cut taxes. Hochul raises taxes; I deliver cuts. I negotiated the largest middle-class tax cut in New York history through the SALT deduction with the president, Treasury Secretary, and the New York Republican delegation. Second, energy costs must be addressed: lifting the fracking moratorium, green-lighting blocked pipelines, and removing the gas-stove ban. Third, we must cut red tape and bureaucracy to make it easier and cheaper to do business.”
Q: What do you bring to the table that Hochul lacks?
A: “A record of results. I’ve been re-elected overwhelmingly and am in my sixth term in Congress. I bring energy, experience, and the ability to unify Republicans, independents, and Democrats. I’m focused on tackling affordability—lowering grocery bills, energy costs, and taxes—and ensuring safe communities. I’ve worked effectively with both parties to deliver for New Yorkers, and I’ve been rated one of the top bipartisan and most effective members, especially for small businesses.”
