2026 New York gubernatorial election

Due to low approval ratings, poor Democratic performances in the 2022 midterm elections in New York, and controversies surrounding her administration, Hochul was considered vulnerable to a primary challenge in 2026. On June 2, 2025, following months of reports about a strained relationship with the governor's office, Antonio Delgado launched his campaign for the Democratic nomination. On February 4, 2026, he announced nurse, union organizer, and socialist activist India Walton as his running mate. Despite early perceptions of vulnerability to a left-wing challenge, Hochul was endorsed in February 2026 by Zohran Mamdani and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, both prominent members of the New York City Democratic Socialists of America. Politico noted that the endorsements “all but crowd out her little-known primary challenger, (Antonio) Delgado,” while Democratic strategist Trip Yang called Hochul “the comeback player of the year.” She was soon endorsed by the New York Democratic Party after securing 85% of support from party members at the state convention, and Delgado ended his campaign on February 10, 2026, citing a lack of a viable path forward. Candidates Declared • Kathy Hochul, governor of New York (2021–present) • Running mate: Adrienne Adams, former Speaker of the New York City Council (2022–2025) from the 28th district (2017–2025) and candidate for mayor of New York City in 2025 Filed paperwork • Jean Anglade, entrepeneur Withdrawn • Antonio Delgado, lieutenant governor of New York (2022–present) • Running mate: India Walton, community organizer and nominee for mayor of Buffalo in 2021 Declined • Letitia James, attorney general of New York (2019–present) (running for re-election; endorsed Hochul) • Tom Suozzi, U.S. representative from (2017–2023, 2024–present) and candidate for governor in 2006 and 2022 (running for re-election, endorsed Hochul) • Ritchie Torres, U.S. representative from (2021–present) (running for re-election; endorsed Hochul) Endorsements Polling Aggregate polls ;Kathy Hochul vs. Antonio Delgado vs. Ritchie Torres ==Republican primary==

U.S. representative Elise Stefanik was considered a potential gubernatorial candidate throughout 2025. She formally announced her candidacy on November 7, 2025. 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. In May 2025, President Donald Trump endorsed Lawler and Blakeman for re-election to their current posts "in a not-so-subtle attempt to clear the field for upstate Congresswoman Elise Stefanik to get the GOP nomination". On July 23, 2025, Mike Lawler announced that he would run for re-election to Congress. Bruce Blakeman was re-elected to the post of Nassau County executive by a double-digit margin in November 2025. When asked about Blakeman's potential gubernatorial candidacy, Trump stated that Blakeman and Stefanik were "both great people". On December 9, 2025, Blakeman launched his campaign for the 2026 Republican gubernatorial nomination. According to The New York Times, Trump's decision to remain neutral and not to attempt to clear the field for Stefanik "sent shock waves through Republican circles". On December 19, Stefanik announced she was withdrawing her candidacy. President Trump endorsed Blakeman's candidacy on December 20. Candidates Declared • Larry Sharpe, business training company founder and perennial candidate • Running mate: Mike Carpinelli, Lewis County sheriff (2006-present) • Bruce Blakeman, Nassau County Executive (2021–present) • Running mate: Todd Hood, Madison County sheriff (2018–present) Filed paperwork • Pat Hahn, union leader Withdrawn • Carl Hyde Jr., town supervisor of Bethany • Elise Stefanik, U.S. representative from (2015–present) Endorsements Polling ==Conservative primary==

Candidates Nominee • Bruce Blakeman, Nassau County executive (2021–present) ==Working Families convention==

Candidates Nominee The New York Working Families Party declined to nominate Hochul or Delgado, instead opting for a "placeholder candidate" to appear on their ballot line. The party has stated that the placeholder candidate will later be replaced by the Democratic nominee. A convention attendee told City & State that Delgado won 41% of the weighted party committee vote to Hochul's 3%, while "placeholder candidate" won 56% of the vote. State party leaders Jasmine Gripper and Ana María Archila disputed the claim, but did not share the exact vote totals. == Independents and other parties ==

Candidates Declared • Larry Sharpe (Libertarian), business training company founder and perennial candidate Filed paperwork • Kevin Gay Publicly expressed interest • Carl Gottstein (Independent), conservative activist • Brock Pierce (Independent), entrepreneur and candidate for president in 2020 ==General election==

Predictions Polling Aggregate polls Kathy Hochul vs. Bruce Blakeman Kathy Hochul vs. Elise Stefanik Kathy Hochul vs. Mike Lawler Kathy Hochul vs. different candidate Kathy Hochul vs. generic Republican Antonio Delgado vs. Elise Stefanik == See also ==