North Country Congresswoman Elise Stefanik has announced that she will seek the Republican nomination for governor of New York in 2026.

Stefanik, who represents New York’s 21st Congressional District, including all of St. Lawrence County, has served in Congress since 2014. Then the youngest woman elected to the House, Stefanik rose through the ranks of GOP leadership, serving as conference chairwoman in the last Congress.

In a statement, Stefanik sharply criticized Gov. Kathy Hochul’s administration, saying New York has become “the most unaffordable state in the nation” and citing concerns over taxes, energy costs and crime. “I am running for governor to bring a new generation of leadership to Albany to make New York affordable and safe for families all across our great state,” she said.

Stefanik said her campaign would seek to unite Republicans, Democrats and independents to “fire Kathy Hochul once and for all.”

Gov. Hochul, a Democrat, has not yet formally announced whether she will seek re-election.