Elise Stefanik Condemns Kathy Hochul’s Leadership Amid New York Political Shift

By Newsmax Wires | Tuesday, 04 November 2025 11:01 PM EST
House Republican Conference Chair Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., issued a scathing statement Tuesday night accusing Democrat Gov. Kathy Hochul of overseeing “catastrophic leadership” that has plunged New York into economic and moral decline. The remarks followed the election of democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani as New York City mayor.
In her statement, Stefanik criticized Hochul’s administration for embracing what she described as a “pro-Hamas, Defund the Police, Tax Hiking, Antisemite Jihadist Communist” agenda, citing Hochul’s endorsement of Mamdani, who is linked to anti-Israel activism. She claimed this demonstrated Hochul’s alignment with the “radical Far Left Socialist takeover of the New York Democrat Party.”
Stefanik blamed Hochul for exacerbating an “affordability crisis” through high taxes, costly energy, and soaring rents, insurance, and grocery prices. She also attributed a surge in crime to the governor’s criminal justice policies, alleging they had “released heinous criminals onto our streets,” resulting in a “crime crisis killing New Yorkers.”
The Republican leader asserted that Hochul had failed to support “hardworking New York families” and labeled her “the Worst Governor in America.” Stefanik, who represents New York’s 21st Congressional District and is a close ally of former President Donald Trump, has emerged as a central figure in New York’s conservative movement. She has also been floated as a potential gubernatorial candidate for 2026.
Her comments come as Republicans aim to exploit voter discontent over New York’s economic challenges and public safety issues ahead of the 2026 gubernatorial election. Recent polls show Hochul’s approval ratings slipping amid persistent inflation and rising crime concerns in New York City.
Republicans believe frustration with state policies, combined with broader national dissatisfaction with Democratic governance, could provide them a chance to reclaim the governorship for the first time since George Pataki left office in 2006. “The only way to save our great state and provide a check on this insanity is to elect a Republican Governor in 2026,” Stefanik declared, urging voters of all parties to “unify and vote to fire Kathy Hochul to save New York.”
Stefanik concluded with a rallying call: “We will not fail. The people of New York will win this fight.” Her remarks reflect the GOP’s broader strategy to connect state-level Democratic policies to national issues like inflation, crime, and antisemitism ahead of the 2026 midterms.