Congresswoman Elise Stefanik’s Gubernatorial Bid
Elise Stefanik, who represents New York, is enthusiastic about moving back to her home state.
This week, the influential politician reduced the asking price for her townhouse in Washington, D.C., by $205,000, just days before unveiling her campaign for the New York governorship.
Stefanik, originally from upstate New York, had listed her Capitol Hill residence for $2.19 million in mid-September amid speculations about her potential candidacy. As of Monday, the price for her three-bedroom home has dropped to $1.99 million, according to Zillow.
She officially kicked off her 2026 gubernatorial campaign on Friday, releasing a compelling launch video that characterizes her as a “working mother, lawmaker, and fighter.”
In the ad, she asserts, “You can’t defeat the spirit of the Empire State. All we need is a brave leader ready for battle. Elise Stefanik is making New York affordable and safe.”
Stefanik and her husband, Matthew Manda, own a 16-acre farm in Saratoga County, where their four-year-old son, Sam, is enrolled in school.
Though she had previously expressed a desire to spend more time upstate, it seems her focus is now on Albany as she prepares for the campaign.
Stefanik has vowed to “wipe out the misery caused by Kathy Hochul,” targeting issues such as the burdensome cost of living that many attribute to the current governor. High taxes, utility bills, and food costs have been key points of criticism from her camp.
In a recent statement, she labeled Hochul as “the worst governor in America.”
Stefanik gained national attention for her confrontations with Ivy League figures during pro-Palestinian protests. In 2024, she was nominated by then-President Donald Trump for a UN ambassador role, which ultimately didn’t go through.
She and her family purchased the Washington, D.C. townhouse for about $1.2 million in 2010, before she made history as the youngest woman elected to Congress at the age of 30.
Built in 1927, the three-story home spans roughly 2,700 square feet.
Stefanik has mentioned that her love for cooking initially attracted her to the property. The open-concept main floor links the living and dining spaces, making it a great place for her family, especially when preparing her “Sundae sauce.”
The first floor features a back deck and patio, where she has grown tomatoes and hosted family barbecues.
Currently, Micah Smith and Robert Hryniewicki of HRLS Partners at TTR Sotheby’s International Realty are handling the sale, although they were unavailable for comments at the time of this report.
The marketing materials highlight a main suite with a spacious walk-in closet, which is somewhat rare for homes in Capitol Hill. Its location is also convenient, located about half a mile from the Capitol and just a block from Eastern Market, where Stefanik frequently shops for Italian meats and local cheeses.
Back in September, she mentioned having no immediate plans to purchase another property in D.C. following the sale of her current home. Instead, her ambitions are now set on securing an executive mansion in Albany.
