2026 New York gubernatorial election

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2026 New York gubernatorial election
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Party Democratic Republican
Incumbent Governor

Kathy Hochul
Democratic



The 2026 New York gubernatorial election is scheduled to take place on November 3, 2026. Incumbent Democratic Governor Kathy Hochul took office on August 24, 2021, upon the resignation of Andrew Cuomo. Hochul was elected to a full term in her own right in 2022 with 53.2% of the vote in the closest New York gubernatorial election since 1994. Hochul announced her intention to run for re-election in July 2024.

Contents

Democratic primary

Background

Due to low approval ratings, poor Democratic performances in the 2022 midterm elections in New York, and controversies surrounding her administration, Hochul has been considered vulnerable to a primary challenge in 2026. [1] Lieutenant Governor Antonio Delgado launched his campaign for the Democratic nomination on June 2, 2025 after months of reports about a fraying relationship between Delgado and the governor's office. [2]

Governor

Candidates

Declared
Declined

Endorsements

Kathy Hochul

Political parties

U.S. representatives

State legislators

Organizations

Polling

Poll sourceDate(s)
administered		Sample
size [a] 		Margin
of error		Kathy
Hochul		Antonio
Delgado		OtherUndecided
Siena University [12] August 4–7, 2025813 (RV)± 4.2%50%15%4%31%
Hypothetical polling
Kathy Hochul vs. Antonio Delgado vs. Ritchie Torres
Poll sourceDate(s)
administered		Sample
size [a] 		Margin
of error		Kathy
Hochul		Antonio
Delgado		Ritchie
Torres		OtherUndecided
Siena College [13] June 23–26, 2025800 (RV)± 4.4%49%12%10%4%26%
Siena College [14] May 12–15, 2025805 (RV)± 4.3%46%12%10%4% [b] 28%
GrayHouse (R) [15] April 22–24, 2025262 (RV)–24%6%7%8% [c] 55%
Siena College [16] April 14–16, 2025802 (RV)± 4.4%44%12%9%5% [d] 30%
Data for Progress (D) [17] March 26–31, 2025767 (LV)± 4.0%51%11%11%–27%
Siena College [18] March 2–6, 2025400 (RV)–46%11%10%4% [b] 28%
Citizen Data [19] [A] February 10, 2025– (RV)± 4.4%52%15%12%–21%

Lieutenant governor

Candidates

Potential
Declined

Republican primary

U.S. Representative Elise Stefanik has indicated that she intends to run for governor in 2026; however, she has not formally announced her candidacy. [24] A July 2025 Siena poll showed Stefanik leading two other potential Republican gubernatorial candidates, U.S. Rep. Mike Lawler and Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman. [25] In May 2025, President Donald Trump endorsed Lawler and Blakeman for re-election to their current posts "in what experts say is a not-so-subtle attempt to clear the field for upstate Congresswoman Elise Stefanik to get the GOP nomination". [26]

On July 23rd, 2025, Mike Lawler announced that he would run for reelection to Congress. [27]

Candidates

Declared

Filed paperwork

Publicly expressed interest

Declined

Polling

Hypothetical polling
Poll sourceDate(s)
administered		Sample
size [a] 		Margin
of error		Bruce
Blakeman		Mike
Lawler		Elise
Stefanik		OtherUndecided
Siena College [13] June 23-26, 2025800 (RV)± 4.4%7%18%35%1%39%
co/efficient (R) [36] June 18-20, 20251108 (LV)± 3.8%6%8%64%–22%
Siena College [14] May 12–15, 2025805 (RV)± 4.3%11%22%35%2% [e] 30%
co/efficient (R) [37] May 1–2, 20251163 (LV)± 3.3%8%9%56%–27%
GrayHouse (R) [15] April 22–24, 2025400 (RV)± 5.0%5%7%44%–44%
Siena College [16] April 14–16, 2025802 (RV)± 4.4%28%22%–4% [b] 46%
Siena College [18] March 2–6, 2025400 (RV)–13%25%–3% [f] 60%

Independent and third-party candidates

Candidates

Publicly expressed interest

General election

Predictions

SourceRankingAs of
The Cook Political Report [39] Likely DJanuary 23, 2025
Inside Elections [40] Likely DAugust 28, 2025
Sabato's Crystal Ball [41] Likely DMay 1, 2025
Race to the WH [42] Likely DJune 30, 2025

Polling

Hypothetical polling

Kathy Hochul vs. Bruce Blakeman

Poll sourceDate(s)
administered		Sample
size [a] 		Margin
of error		Kathy
Hochul (D)		Bruce
Blakeman (R)		OtherUndecided
Siena College [13] June 23–26, 2025800 (RV)± 4.4%44%19%–37%
GrayHouse (R) [15] April 22–24, 2025600 (RV)± 4.0%44%36%–20%

Kathy Hochul vs. Elise Stefanik

Poll sourceDate(s)
administered		Sample
size [a] 		Margin
of error		Kathy
Hochul (D)		Elise
Stefanik (R)		OtherUndecided
Siena University [12] August 4–7, 2025813 (RV)± 4.2%45%31%3%20%
Siena College [13] June 23–26, 2025800 (RV)± 4.4%47%24%–29%
Harper Polling (R) [43] [B] May 7–9, 2025600 (LV)± 4.0%50%39%–11%
co/efficient (R) [37] May 1–2, 20251,163 (LV)± 3.3%43%42%–15%
GrayHouse (R) [15] April 22–24, 2025600 (RV)± 4.0%46%40%–14%

Kathy Hochul vs. Mike Lawler

Poll sourceDate(s)
administered		Sample
size [a] 		Margin
of error		Kathy
Hochul (D)		Mike
Lawler (R)		OtherUndecided
Siena College [13] June 23–26, 2025800 (RV)± 4.4%44%24%–32%
Harper Polling (R) [43] [B] May 7–9, 2025600 (LV)± 4.0%48%41%–11%
GrayHouse (R) [15] April 22–24, 2025600 (RV)± 4.0%45%38%–17%
Citizen Data [19] [A] February 10, 20251,000 (RV)± 3.1%46%38%10%6% [g]

Kathy Hochul vs. different candidate

Poll sourceDate(s)
administered		Sample
size [a] 		Margin
of error		Kathy
Hochul (D)		Different
Candidate		Undecided
Siena University [12] August 4–7, 2025813 (RV)± 4.2%35%53%12%
Siena College [13] June 23–26, 2025800 (RV)± 4.4%37%55%8%
Siena College [14] May 12–15, 2025805 (RV)± 4.3%36%55%9%
GrayHouse (R) [15] April 22–24, 2025600 (RV)± 4.0%27%61%12%
Siena College [16] April 14–16, 2025802 (RV)± 4.4%39%48%13%
Siena College [18] March 2–6, 2025806 (RV)± 4.3%34%56%10%
Siena College [44] January 27–30, 2025803 (RV)± 4.2%31%57%12%
Siena College [45] December 2–5, 20241,059 (RV)± 4.1%33%57%11%
Slingshot Strategies (D) [46] May 2–3, 20241,059 (RV)± 5.0%34%44%21%

See also

Notes

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Key:
    A – all adults
    RV – registered voters
    LV – likely voters
    V – unclear
  2. 1 2 3 "Someone else" with 4%
  3. ↑ Jamaal Bowman with 8%
  4. ↑ "Someone else" with 5%
  5. ↑ "Someone else" with 2%
  6. ↑ "Someone else" with 3%
  7. ↑ "I don't plan to vote in this election" with 6%

Partisan clients

  1. 1 2 Poll sponsored by Unite NY
  2. 1 2 Poll conducted for an undisclosed Republican client

References

  1. ↑ Reisman, Nick (September 5, 2024). "Hochul's headwinds become tougher with indictment of alleged foreign agent". Politico .
  2. 1 2 3 Mays, Jeffery C. (June 2, 2025). "Antonio Delgado, Hochul's No. 2, Will Challenge Her in Governor's Race". The New York Times . ISSN   0362-4331 . Retrieved June 2, 2025.
  3. ↑ Parsnow, Luke (July 2, 2024). "Hochul says she's running for another term as New York governor in 2026". Spectrum News . Archived from the original on July 8, 2024. Retrieved August 20, 2024.
  4. ↑ Coltin, Jeff (February 4, 2025). "Letitia James is taking on Donald Trump — again". Politico . Retrieved February 4, 2025. Asked about a run for governor in 2026, she said that's the year she'll be running for reelection as attorney general
  5. ↑ Solender, Andrew (December 12, 2024). "GOP Rep. Ciscomani passes on run for Arizona governor". Axios . Retrieved December 12, 2024. Rep. Tom Suozzi (D-N.Y.) told Axios he won't mount another run for governor in 2026.
  6. 1 2 3 4 Reisman, Nick (June 3, 2025). "Cuomo's national strategy". Politico .
  7. ↑ Jefferson, Austin (July 2, 2025). "Ritchie Torres will not run for governor". City & State .
  8. ↑ Veronica, Nick (July 10, 2025). "Erie County Dems give Gov. Hochul unanimous endorsement for reelection". WIVB-TV . Retrieved July 12, 2025.
  9. 1 2 Rebecca, Lewis; Jefferson, Austin (June 6, 2025). "County Democratic Party chairs go in for Hochul". City and State . Retrieved June 6, 2025.
  10. 1 2 Jefferson, Austin; Lewis, Rebecca (June 2, 2025). "Lt. Gov. Antonio Delgado launches campaign for governor". City and State . Retrieved June 2, 2025.
  11. ↑ "EMILYs List Endorses New York Gov. Kathy Hochul for Reelection". EMILYs List. Retrieved June 13, 2025.
  12. 1 2 3 "Hochul Approval & Favorability Ratings Up a Little; Hochul Lead Over Stefanik In 2026 Race Falls to 14 Points, 45-31%, from 23 Points, 47-24%, in June; Voters Say if Stefanik Runs & Is Elected Gov, It Would Be Bad for NY, 49-37%" (PDF). Siena College Research Institute. August 12, 2025. Retrieved August 12, 2025.
  13. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Siena College Poll Conducted by the Siena College Research Institute" (PDF). Siena College Research Institute. July 1, 2025. Retrieved July 1, 2025.
  14. 1 2 3 "Siena College Poll Conducted by the Siena College Research Institute" (PDF). Siena College Research Institute. May 20, 2025. Retrieved May 20, 2025.
  15. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "New York Poll Results - GrayHouse". Politico. April 28, 2025. Retrieved April 28, 2025.
  16. 1 2 3 "Siena College Poll Conducted by the Siena College Research Institute" (PDF). Siena College Research Institute. April 22, 2025. Retrieved April 24, 2025.
  17. ↑ "Incumbent Hochul Has Large Lead in 2026 New York Gubernatorial Race". Data for Progress. April 7, 2025. Retrieved April 7, 2025.
  18. 1 2 3 "Hochul – with a Big Lead in a Very Early Democratic Primary Look – Gets Good Grades from Voters on Protecting Constitutional Rights & Ensuring Quality Affordable Healthcare, But Not on Making NY More Affordable". Siena College Research Institute. March 20, 2025. Retrieved March 20, 2025.
  19. 1 2 "Unite NY Poll: Hochul Leads Lawler by Single Digits". The Daily Post. February 25, 2025. Retrieved March 20, 2025.
  20. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Lewis, Rebecca (February 25, 2025). "Who could be Hochul's next LG?". City & State . Retrieved February 26, 2025.
  21. ↑ Lewis, Rebecca; Jefferson, Austin (June 16, 2025). "The way-too-early 2026 gubernatorial election preview". City & State . Retrieved June 16, 2025.
  22. ↑ Coltin, Jeff; Reisman, Nick; Ngo, Emily (April 10, 2025). "Time of the Signs". Politico . Retrieved April 10, 2025.
  23. ↑ Golde, Vaughn (February 24, 2025). "NY Lt. Gov. Antonio Delgado announces he's leaving ticket following public breaks with Hochul". New York Post . Retrieved February 24, 2025.
  24. ↑ Mirand, Kristen (June 30, 2025). "'Not a question of if...a question of when': Rep. Elise Stefanik signals 2026 gubernatorial bid to 'save NYS'". WKBW 7 News Buffalo.
  25. ↑ Parsnow, Luke. "Poll: Stefanik leads potential GOP field for N.Y. governor; Hochul leads all 3". spectrumlocalnews.com.
  26. ↑ Kramer, Marcia (May 7, 2025). "Ahead of N.Y. governor's race, President Trump's endorsements send "loud message"". www.cbsnews.com.
  27. ↑ Anderson, Renee; Kramer, Marcia; Woodall, Hunter (July 23, 2025). "Mike Lawler to sit out New York governor's race and run for reelection in House district". CBS News . Retrieved July 30, 2025.
  28. ↑ Quinn, Brian (February 14, 2025). "Bethany town supervisor planning gubernatorial run". The Daily News . Retrieved February 14, 2025.
  29. ↑ "List of Filers". New York State Board of Elections. Retrieved August 17, 2025.
  30. ↑ Buchiere, Steve (May 24, 2024). "David Tulley faces $15.2 million fine for running unlicensed cannabis stores". Finger Lake Times. Retrieved August 17, 2025.
  31. ↑ Reisman, Nick; Ngo, Emily; Coltin, Jeff (January 24, 2025). "Kathy versus crime". Politico . Retrieved January 27, 2025.
  32. ↑ "Catsimatidis Not Running for NYC Mayor, but May Consider Run for Governor". The National Herald . March 7, 2025. Retrieved April 23, 2025.
  33. ↑ @JasonBeeferman (May 12, 2025). "Former Republican Lt. Gov. @Betsy_McCaughey says she's explored running for governor again, and hasn't made a decision yet. @sidrosenberg also said this morning she's running for the seat" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  34. ↑ Ormsbee, Molly (July 23, 2025). "Stefanik to announce election plans after November". WPTZ . Retrieved July 23, 2025.
  35. ↑ Fandos, Nicholas; Haberman, Maggie (July 23, 2025). "Lawler Will Seek Re-election to House, Forgoing Run for N.Y. Governor". The New York Times . Retrieved July 23, 2025.
  36. ↑ Campanile, Carl (June 29, 2025). "One NY Republican opens massive lead in possible primary to face Gov. Kathy Hochul: poll". New York Post . Retrieved June 29, 2025.
  37. 1 2 Campanile, Carl (May 21, 2025). "Elise Stefanik in dead heat with Kathy Hochul in potential governor race, as Trump edges Democrat in favorability: poll". New York Post . Retrieved May 21, 2025.
  38. ↑ "Libertarian Larry Sharpe considers Another Run for NY Governor & Why Andrew Cuomo Will Be Next Mayor of NYC". Talk Of the Town (Podcast). WUTQ-FM. April 25, 2025. Retrieved July 2, 2025.
  39. ↑ "2026 CPR Governor Race ratings". Cook Political Report. Retrieved January 23, 2025.
  40. ↑ "Gubernatorial Ratings". Inside Elections . Retrieved February 7, 2025.
  41. ↑ "2026 Governor". Sabato's Crystal Ball. Retrieved May 1, 2025.
  42. ↑ "Governor Forecast - 2026-2026". Race to the WH. Retrieved June 30, 2025.
  43. 1 2 Campanile, Carl (June 16, 2025). "Rep. Mike Lawler has better shot at defeating Gov. Kathy Hochul than Elise Stefanik: poll". New York Post . Retrieved June 17, 2025.
  44. ↑ "Siena College Poll Conducted by the Siena College Research Institute" (PDF). Siena College . February 3, 2025. Retrieved February 9, 2025.
  45. ↑ "Siena College Poll Conducted by the Siena College Research Institute" (PDF). Siena College . December 10, 2024. Retrieved December 11, 2024.
  46. ↑ "Slingshot New York State Topline". Politico. May 11, 2024. Retrieved March 20, 2025.
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