New York Republican Rep. Elise Stefanik is considering throwing her name in the mix for a 2026 gubernatorial run, a source familiar with her thinking told NY1. 

“I think there’s a lot of candidates that are in the mix. I’m honored to have my name in the mix as well,” she told NY1 in an interview on Tuesday night at the New York State Republican Party gala in Midtown Manhattan.

“I think we have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to fire Kathy Hochul once and for all. For so long, Democrats have had one-party rule in Albany, and it has caused a decaying of our state,” she continued. “We’re in a huge opportunity to win the governor's mansion, to break the supermajority, win the state Senate, claw back some of the seats in the New York state Assembly and really reset New York on a better path for hardworking families.”

The GOP congresswoman representing New York’s 21st District was recently tapped by President Donald Trump as his pick for United Nations ambassador, but that nomination was ultimately pulled by Trump, citing concerns her departure could imperil passage of his legislative agenda in the tightly divided U.S. House.

She’s since been named chairwoman of House Republican Leadership.

Stefanik is a top Trump loyalist, going back to her defense of him during his first impeachment. 

In an interview with Spectrum News, a Democratic strategist all but welcomed Stefanik to the governor’s race, arguing she would face stiff headwinds in a statewide election. 

“Elise Stefanik is, you know, as Trump as it gets,” Eric Koch said. “She doesn't have any sort of crossover appeal to Democrats or Independents. She's never won in a tough district.”

Incumbent Gov. Kathy Hochul faces her own vulnerabilities. A Marist Poll conducted earlier this month showed just 39% of New Yorkers approve of the job she is doing. 

Asked about the possibility of Stefanik jumping into the race, Hochul played up the congresswoman’s Trump ties. 

"No matter who the GOP nominee is next year that I'll be running against, it'll be an extreme MAGA Republican, and I look forward to that fight," Hochul said.

Back in 2022, Stefanik’s name was also floated as a possible contender in the GOP gubernatorial primary, before former congressman and now EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin won the party’s backing.

Zeldin came within striking distance of Hochul, gaining the most votes in the general election of any Republican since Gov. Nelson Rockefeller.

Another high-profile New York Republican in Congress is also toying with a bid for governor: Rep. Mike Lawler, who has twice won a competitive district in the lower Hudson Valley. 

In a statement, Lawler said, “Elise Stefanik has been a powerful leader in the House, where she maintains a strong and important role in leading our conference. We both agree that Kathy Hochul is the worst Governor in America, bar none.”

“In 2026, New Yorkers have a chance to elect a strong, competent leader to move the state in a better direction. In the coming months the process will play out to ensure that Republicans have the strongest candidate possible,” he continued.