2026 New York gubernatorial election
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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.[1]
Democratic primary
[edit]Background
[edit]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.[2]
Governor
[edit]Candidates
[edit]Declared
[edit]- Kathy Hochul, incumbent governor (2021–present)[1]
Publicly expressed interest
[edit]- Jamaal Bowman, former U.S. Representative from New York's 16th congressional district (2021–2025)[3][4]
- Ritchie Torres, U.S. representative from New York's 15th congressional district (2021–present) (decision expected in mid-2025)[5]
Potential
[edit]- Antonio Delgado, Lieutenant Governor of New York (2022–present)[6]
Declined
[edit]- Letitia James, Attorney General of New York (2019–present) (running for re-election)[7]
- Tom Suozzi, U.S. representative from New York's 3rd congressional district (2017–2023, 2024–present) and candidate for governor in 2006 and 2022[8]
Polling
[edit]Hypothetical polling
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size[a] |
Margin of error |
Antonio Delgado |
Kathy Hochul |
Ritchie Torres |
Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Citizen Data[A] | February 10, 2025 | (RV) | ± 4.4% | 15% | 52% | 12% | 21% |
Lieutenant governor
[edit]Candidates
[edit]Potential
[edit]- Brian Benjamin, former lieutenant governor (2021–2022)[9]
- Jeremy Cooney, state senator from the 56th district (2021–present)[9]
- Brian Cunningham, state assemblymember from the 43rd district (2022–present)[9]
- Grace Lee, state assemblymember from the 65th district (2023–present)[9]
- Donovan Richards, Queens Borough President (2020–present)[9]
- Robert Rodriguez, president of the New York State Dormitory Authority (2024–present), former New York Secretary of State (2021–2024), and former state assemblymember from the 68th district (2011–2021)[9]
- Kathy Sheehan, mayor of Albany (2014–present)[9]
- James Skoufis, state senator from the 42nd district (2019–present) and candidate for Democratic National Committee chair in 2025[9]
Declined
[edit]- Antonio Delgado, incumbent lieutenant governor (2022–present)[10]
Republican primary
[edit]Candidates
[edit]Declared
[edit]Publicly expressed interest
[edit]- Bruce Blakeman, Nassau County Executive (2022–present)[12]
- Mike Lawler, U.S. Representative from New York's 17th congressional district (2023–present)[13][14]
General election
[edit]Predictions
[edit]| Source | Ranking | As of |
|---|---|---|
| The Cook Political Report[15] | Likely D | January 23, 2025 |
| Inside Elections[16] | Battleground | February 6, 2025 |
Polling
[edit]Hypothetical polling
Kathy Hochul vs. Mike Lawler
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size |
Margin of error |
Kathy Hochul (D) |
Mike Lawler (R) |
Other | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Citizen Data[B] | February 10, 2025 | 1,000 (RV) | ± 3.1% | 46% | 38% | 10% | 6%[c] |
Kathy Hochul vs. different candidate
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size[a] |
Margin of error |
Kathy Hochul (D) |
Different Candidate |
Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Siena College[17] | January 27–30, 2025 | 803 (RV) | ± 4.2% | 31% | 57% | 12% |
| Siena College[18] | December 2–5, 2024 | 1,059 (RV) | ± 5.0% | 33% | 57% | 11% |
| Slingshot Strategies (D)[19] | May 2–3, 2024 | 1,059 (RV) | ± 5.0% | 34% | 44% | 21% |
See also
[edit]Notes
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b 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.
- ^ Reisman, Nick (September 5, 2024). "Hochul's headwinds become tougher with indictment of alleged foreign agent". Politico.
- ^ Frey, Kevin (December 13, 2024). "'I wish I didn't pull that damn fire alarm': Rep. Bowman reflects on his time in Congress, primary loss". NY1. Retrieved December 16, 2024.
- ^ Wong, Scott; Thorp, Frank (December 31, 2024). "Inside the most bizarre Congress in recent memory". NBC News. Retrieved December 31, 2024.
Bowman said he is not ruling out running for political office in the future: 'U.S. Senate, yes, governor, yes, mayor, yes.'
- ^ Sheehan, Kevin; Campanile, Carl; McCarthy, Craig; Troutman, Matt (November 25, 2024). "Rep. Ritchie Torres 'considering' run for governor as he turns up heat on Hochul — and doesn't rule out bid for NYC mayor". New York Post. Retrieved November 27, 2024.
Torres said in a spate of appearances that he's...making a decision in mid-2025 on a potential gubernatorial run
- ^ Mahoney, Bill (February 24, 2025). "Delgado won't seek another term as lieutenant governor". POLITICO. Retrieved February 25, 2025.
- ^ 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
- ^ 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.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Lewis, Rebecca (February 25, 2025). "Who could be Hochul's next LG?". City & State. Retrieved February 26, 2025.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Quinn, Brian (February 14, 2025). "Bethany town supervisor planning gubernatorial run". The Daily News. Retrieved February 14, 2025.
- ^ Reisman, Nick; Ngo, Emily; Coltin, Jeff (January 24, 2025). "Kathy versus crime". Politico. Retrieved January 27, 2025.
- ^ Frey, Kevin (November 20, 2024). "'A leadership crisis': Rep. Torres doesn't rule out bid for N.Y. governor". Spectrum News. Retrieved November 21, 2024.
- ^ Parsnow, Luke; Lisa, Kate (January 14, 2025). "Mulling a run for governor, Rep. Mike Lawler criticizes Hochul on day of her State of the State address". Spectrum News. Retrieved January 15, 2025.
- ^ "2026 CPR Governor Race ratings". Cook Political Report. Retrieved January 23, 2025.
- ^ "Gubernatorial Ratings". Inside Elections. Retrieved February 7, 2025.
- ^ "Siena College Poll Conducted by the Siena College Research Institute" (PDF). Siena College. Retrieved February 9, 2025.
- ^ "Siena College Poll Conducted by the Siena College Research Institute" (PDF). Siena College. Retrieved December 11, 2024.
- ^ Slingshot Strategies (D)