This former Romney campaign staffer is now running to be governor of New York

WASHINGTON — Rep. Elise Stefanik, who once assisted with former Sen. Mitt Romney's presidential campaign in 2012, will run for New York governor in 2026, she announced on Friday.

Stefanik launched her bid in a 2½-minute video posted to X, making official what many speculated to be the case as the Republican congresswoman has laid the groundwork for months to challenge Gov. Kathy Hochul next November. Stefanik has had a meteoric rise within her party over the last decade, positioning herself as one of President Donald Trump's most prominent allies.

"The Empire State has fallen," the voiceover in Stefanik's first campaign ad says. "But from the ashes of Kathy Hochul's failed policies, New York will rise like we always do. The spirit of the Empire State cannot be broken. All we need is a courageous leader ready for the fight. Elise Stefanik will make New York affordable and safe."

Stefanik began her career in her early 20s while working in the Bush administration for the U.S. Domestic Policy Council and later as an assistant to the White House chief of staff. In 2012, Stefanik joined Romney's presidential campaign to help manage and prepare vice presidential nominee Paul Ryan for debates.

Those positions helped prepare Stefanik to be a prolific fundraiser and communicator for her party, ultimately leading to her first congressional campaign in 2014 — during which she received the endorsement of Romney and Ryan.

"After working with Elise, I know she will make the 21st District proud, and she will deliver results," Romney said at the time. "Elise understands the needs of small businesses and how to grow the local economy. She is a person of integrity. Every campaign is different, but values don't change."

With her victory, Stefanik made history as the youngest woman to be elected to Congress at just 30 years old. In the decade since, Stefanik has had a steady rise to power serving in a variety of leadership positions, including as the House Republican Conference chairwoman in 2021 to replace former Rep. Liz Cheney.

In that position, Stefanik served as a top ally to Trump within the halls of Congress to ensure a smooth path for his first-term agenda.

After Trump won the 2024 election, Stefanik was immediately rumored as a top candidate for a role within his administration. The New York congresswoman was nominated to be the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, although that was ultimately withdrawn earlier this year due to Republicans' slim majority in the House.

After that nomination fell through, Stefanik set her eyes on the governor's mansion in the Empire State — and began criticizing incumbent Hochul to lay the groundwork for her campaign.

Despite her reputation, Stefanik will still face an uphill battle, as a Republican has not been elected governor in New York since 2002.

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