Who is running for New York Governor in 2026?
The 2026 New York gubernatorial election will determine the next Governor of New York. Incumbent Governor Kathy Hochul is running for re-election, with multiple challengers from both major parties and among independents. This article provides a comprehensive look at all candidates and how the election will be conducted. Readers will learn about the 2026 New York Governor election’s process, contenders, and context.
2026 New York Governor Election: Who Is Running?
The office of Governor will be contested in New York in the 2026 election. Incumbent Democrat Kathy Hochul, who first assumed office in 2021 after Andrew Cuomo’s resignation, is running for re-election. New York is known for its strong Democratic lean, with no Republican winning a statewide office since 2002. Hochul won a full term in 2022 with 53.1% of the vote, in the closest race for governor since 1994. The 2026 gubernatorial election is scheduled for November 3, 2026. The race is currently rated as ‘Likely Democratic’, reflecting the state’s longstanding voting patterns.
Candidates in the 2026 New York Governor Election
Democratic Candidates: Kathy Hochul is the incumbent Governor of New York, having taken office in 2021 and elected to a full term in 2022. She is officially declared as a candidate for re-election in 2026. Hochul’s biography notes her prior role as Lieutenant Governor and her statewide leadership since Andrew Cuomo’s resignation. According to the provided summary, her endorsements include figures such as Hakeem Jeffries, Gregory Meeks, Pat Ryan, Tom Suozzi, and organizations like the Democratic Governors Association and EMILY’s List. Antonio Delgado, the current Lieutenant Governor, is also an officially declared Democratic candidate. He launched his campaign in 2025 following reports of a strained relationship with Hochul’s administration. Delgado’s background is highlighted by his service as Lieutenant Governor and support from organizations including Citizen Action New York and New York Communities for Change. Zohran Mamdani is a Democratic candidate and New York State Assemblymember. He is not the incumbent, and the available record does not indicate an official campaign declaration. Republican Candidates: Elise Stefanik, a U.S. Representative from New York’s 21st congressional district since 2015, is an officially declared Republican candidate for governor. Her endorsements, as provided, include George Pataki, multiple current and former state officials, and party leaders such as Edward F. Cox and Gerard Kassar. Pat Hahn, a union leader, has filed paperwork for the gubernatorial election as a Republican but is not officially declared. David Tulley, a cannabis shop owner, has also filed to run as a Republican. Carl Hyde Jr., town supervisor of Bethany, initially entered as a Republican candidate but has withdrawn according to his campaign information. Steve McLaughlin, Rensselaer County Executive, is mentioned as supported by Stefanik locally. Bruce Blakeman, Nassau County Executive, is running for re-election in his current role, having been endorsed by Donald Trump, and is referenced as a possible gubernatorial contender. Independent and Other Candidates: Larry Sharpe, founder of a business training company, is running as a Libertarian and is officially declared. Kevin Gay has filed as an independent for the election, and Brock Pierce, entrepreneur and 2020 presidential candidate, has publicly expressed interest in running as an independent. All available independent and third-party candidates are included based on their public filings or declarations.
The 2026 New York gubernatorial election details
The 2026 New York gubernatorial election will be held on November 3, 2026. The election features both party primaries and a general election. Incumbent Governor Kathy Hochul is seeking re-election after having first assumed office in 2021 and securing a full term in 2022. Hochul faces an intra-party primary challenge from her Lieutenant Governor, Antonio Delgado. The Republican primary draws candidates such as Elise Stefanik and others who have filed paperwork. According to the available summaries, New York utilizes traditional partisan primaries for each major party to select their nominees for governor. The general election is then held with the nominees from each party, as well as any approved independent or third-party candidates. Specific primary dates have not been detailed, but the general election is set for November 3, 2026. No mention is made in the input sources of alternative formats such as ranked-choice voting or nonpartisan primaries for the 2026 gubernatorial race. The process includes candidate qualification, party primaries, and the general election, following New York’s established election laws.
Polling and Race Outlook for the 2026 New York Governor Election
Current polling as of late 2025 indicates that Governor Kathy Hochul holds a significant lead within the Democratic primary, with aggregate polling placing her at 53.5% and Antonio Delgado at 13.5%. In general election matchups, Hochul leads Republican nominee Elise Stefanik by approximately 14 points based on polling data aggregated in the available summaries. Polling also shows that Hochul is favored in hypothetical matchups against other Republican contenders such as Bruce Blakeman and Mike Lawler. Her favorability ratings among Democrats and the broader electorate have fluctuated but tend to show her as the leading candidate. Overall, the race is described in published analyses and summaries as ‘Likely Democratic,’ reflecting historical voting patterns in the state. No additional polling details are provided for independent candidates, but the outlook remains consistent with New York’s recent gubernatorial election history.
Key Issues in the 2026 New York Governor Race
Key policy issues in the 2026 New York gubernatorial election include concerns about far-left policies, as referenced by the mayoral candidacy of Zohran Mamdani and supported by Governor Hochul. Efforts to change the timing of local elections, including moving local elections to even years, are also highlighted as significant electoral reforms under discussion. Tax policy and potential tax increases have been a subject of debate, with the summaries noting these discussions in relation to Governor Hochul’s administration. The influence of MAGA-aligned voter turnout and its effect on Republican strategies and support have been mentioned as shaping political dynamics in the state. These topics are situated alongside traditional matters of voter participation, candidate alignment, and reform of state and local governance procedures.
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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2026_New_York_gubernatorial_election
2026 New York Governor Race: Stefanik’s Potential Run and Election Night Stakes
https://www.nycvotes.org/whats-on-the-ballot/2025-general-election/2025-ballot-proposals/
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Jon Sutton
An expert in management, strategy, and field organizing, Jon has been a frequent commentator in national publications.
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