Former President Donald Trump and New York’s mayor-elect Zoran Mamdani aren’t on the ballot for next year, yet they are very much at the center of discussions for the 2026 New York gubernatorial race.
In her first interview following her announcement to run for governor, Republican Representative Elise Stefanik linked Democratic Governor Kathy Hochul to Mamdani, the 34-year-old socialist who won Tuesday’s New York mayoral election.
Stefanik appeared on Fox News’ “Fox & Friends,” where she accused Mamdani of being “supportive” towards him, labeling him a “virulently anti-Semitic, pro-Hamas communist intent on raising taxes.”
In response, Hochul’s campaign targeted Stefanik, dubbing her “Sellout Stefanik” and launching a new social media initiative aimed at bolstering Hochul’s defenses against Trump’s challenger.
“Sellout Stefanik is Donald Trump’s biggest cheerleader in Congress and plays a pivotal role in the New York political landscape,” argued Sarafina Titica, the communications director for Hochul’s campaign, asserting that Stefanik is undermining healthcare and increasing costs through high tariffs while slashing funding for essential services.
Politics in New York, the fourth most populous state, has certainly ramped up as the upcoming battle for the governor’s office is shaping up to be intense.
Lee Miringoff, director of the Marist College Public Opinion Institute, remarked, “There are numerous dynamics in play here, including Trump and the Mamdani factor.”
Meanwhile, Republicans are eager to portray Democrats as radical leftists and are attempting to position Mamdani, who recently made headlines by beating multiple candidates in the Democratic primary, as a figure symbolizing that shift.
“There’s a robust effort by Stefanik to challenge Hochul,” Miringoff added.
Trump, originally from New York but now residing in Florida, experienced a steep loss in the blue state during his 2020 re-election campaign. However, he showed some improvement in 2024, reducing the state’s deficit significantly.
But after recent elections in New Jersey and Virginia saw Democrats secure wins by considerable margins, Miringoff suggested that “President Trump’s anticipated 2024 realignment might be fleeting in light of these outcomes.”
It has been over two decades since a Republican secured the governorship in New York, with the last win being George Pataki’s re-election in 2002.
Looking ahead, Hochul might find herself facing a challenging re-election, especially given her previous tenure began in 2021 following Andrew Cuomo’s resignation amid controversies. In 2022, she narrowly defeated Lee Zeldin, though Zeldin’s performance was noteworthy as it was the best by a Republican in years.
Interestingly, now there’s also a primary challenge coming from Lieutenant Governor Antonio Delgado, which is rather uncommon for a lieutenant governor to do against an incumbent.
Moreover, potential challengers within the Republican ranks could complicate matters for Stefanik, with Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, a Trump ally recently elected, possibly eyeing a gubernatorial run.
