ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) — After months of rumors and speculation, New York Congresswoman Elise Stefanik announced her bid to be elected governor in 2026. Her campaign launch comes three days after state Democrats flipped multiple seats held for decades by Republicans.

This week on Empire State Weekly, Morgan Hook, democratic strategist and partner at Bluejacket Strategies, explained that no matter what happens in 2026, Stefanik's political future is sure to change.

"The margins are way too tight right now for her to leave. It's the whole reason she's there right now and not in the UN, because they needed her vote in congress," Hook said. "So, I suspect she'll remain a member of congress through the duration of this campaign. She won't be a member of congress for the 21st district come 2027

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