2026 New York gubernatorial election explained

Election Name:	2026 New York gubernatorial election
Country:	New York
Type:	gubernatorial
Ongoing:	yes
Previous Election:	2022 New York gubernatorial election
Previous Year:	2022
Next Election:	2030 New York gubernatorial election
Next Year:	2030
Election Date:	November 3, 2026
Party1:	Democratic Party (United States)
Party2:	Republican Party (United States)
Governor
Before Election:	Kathy Hochul
Before Party:	Democratic Party (United States)

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

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 is considered to be potentially vulnerable to a primary challenge.^[1]

Candidates

Declared

• Kathy Hochul, incumbent governor (2021–present)^[2]

Publicly expressed interest

• Ritchie Torres, U.S. representative from (2021–present) (decision expected in mid-2025)^[3]

Potential

• Alvin Bragg, New York County District Attorney (2022–present)
• Andrew Cuomo, former governor (2011–2021)^[4]
• Antonio Delgado, Lieutenant Governor of New York (2022–present)
• Eric Gonzalez, Brooklyn District Attorney (2016–present)
• Letitia James, New York attorney general (2019–present) and candidate for governor in 2022^{[4] [5]}
• Jumaane Williams, New York City Public Advocate (2019–present), candidate for governor in 2022, and candidate for lieutenant governor in 2018^[5]

Declined

• Tom Suozzi, U.S. representative from (2017–2023, 2024–present) and candidate for governor in 2006 and 2022^[6]

Republican primary

Candidates

Publicly expressed interest

• Bruce Blakeman, Nassau County executive (2022–present)^[5]
• Mike Lawler, U.S. representative from (2023–present)^{[5] [7]}
• Steven McLaughlin, Rensselaer County executive (2018–present)^[5]

Potential

• Rob Astorino, former Westchester County executive (2010–2017), nominee for governor in 2014, and candidate in 2022^[5]
• Marc Molinaro, outgoing U.S. representative from (2023–2025) and nominee for governor in 2018^[5]

General election

Polling

Kathy Hochul vs. different candidate

Notes and References

1. News: Reisman . Nick . September 5, 2024 . Hochul’s headwinds become tougher with indictment of alleged foreign agent . Politico.
2. Web site: Parsnow . Luke . 2024-07-02 . Hochul says she's running for another term as New York governor in 2026 . 2024-08-20 . Spectrum News 1 . en . July 8, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240708215410/https://spectrumlocalnews.com/nys/central-ny/politics/2024/07/02/hochul-says-she-s-running-for-another-term-as-governor-in-2026 . live .
3. News: . November 27, 2024 . Rep. Ritchie Torres ‘considering’ run for governor as he turns up heat on Hochul — and doesn’t rule out bid for NYC mayor . November 25, 2024 . Sheehan, Kevin . Campanile, Carl . McCarthy, Craig . Troutman, Matt.
4. Web site: A NY GOP without McCarthy’s cash. Coltin. Reisman. Ngo. Jeff. Nick. Emily. November 20, 2023. November 20, 2023. Politico. November 21, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231121000040/https://www.politico.com/newsletters/new-york-playbook/2023/11/20/what-the-ny-gop-will-do-without-mccarthy-cash-00128014. live.
5. News: . July 30, 2024 . Who could run for New York governor in 2026? . July 15, 2024 . Pretsky, Holly . July 31, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240731050158/https://www.cityandstateny.com/politics/2024/07/who-could-run-new-york-governor-2026/398016/ . live .
6. andrewsolender . 1864376325487677495 . December 4, 2024 . Other things I learned in reporting this story: - Ohio Reps. Sykes (per her office) and Brown (per statement from her) aren't running for Vance's seat - Tenn. Rep. Green not running for gov, per source - N.Y. Rep. Suozzi says he's not running for gov . Andrew Solender . December 4, 2024.
7. News: . November 21, 2024 . 'A leadership crisis': Rep. Torres doesn't rule out bid for N.Y. governor. Frey, Kevin . November 20, 2024 .