Republican Rep. Elise Stefanik announced she is running for governor of New York on Friday, after months of hinting at the possibility of challenging Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul in the 2026 election.

Stefanik announced her campaign on social media , calling Hochul "the worst governor in America."

"I am running for Governor to make New York affordable and safe for all," Stefanik wrote. "Democrats, Republicans, and Independents will unify to save our state."

Hochul shared a statement of her own, calling the congresswoman President Trump's "number one cheerleader."

"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," the governor wrote.

Stefanik, at age 3

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