The 2026 New York gubernatorial election is scheduled to take place on November 3, 2026, to elect the governor of New York. Incumbent Democratic governor Kathy Hochul is running for re-election to a second full term. Primary elections took place on June 23, 2026. The gubernatorial candidates selected their running mates, instead of having separate primaries.
Hochul will face Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, the Republican and Conservative nominee, in the general election. After U.S. representative Elise Stefanik withdrew from the Republican primary in December 2025, Blakeman was endorsed by President Donald Trump. Republicans have not won a statewide election in New York since George Pataki was re-elected governor in 2002.
The 2026 New York gubernatorial election took place on November 3, 2026, to elect the governor of New York. Incumbent Democratic governor Kathy Hochul ran for re-election to a second full term. Primary elections took place on June 23, 2026. The gubernatorial candidates selected their running mates, instead of having separate primaries.
Kathy Hochul faced Nassau County executive Bruce Blakeman, the Republican and Conservative nominee, in the general election. After U.S. representative Elise Stefanik withdrew from the Republican primary in December 2025, Blakeman was endorsed by President Donald Trump. Republicans have not won a statewide election in New York since George Pataki was re-elected governor in 2002.
On Election Day, Hochul won her second full term in office, defeating Blakeman.
Background
Governor Kathy Hochul took office on August 24, 2021, upon the resignation of her predecessor, Andrew Cuomo. Hochul was elected to a full term in 2022 with 53.1% of the vote in the closest New York gubernatorial election since 1994.
Democratic primary
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. Delgado ended his campaign on February 10, 2026, citing a lack of a viable path forward.
Candidates
Nominee
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
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 New York's 3rd congressional district (2017–2023, 2024–present) and candidate for governor in 2006 and 2022 (running for re-election, endorsed Hochul)
Ritchie Torres, U.S. representative from New York's 15th congressional district (2021–present) (running for re-election; endorsed Hochul)
Endorsements
Kathy Hochul
Yvette Clarke, NY-9 (2007–present)
Adriano Espaillat, NY-13 (2017–present)
Laura Gillen, NY-4 (2025–present)
Dan Goldman, NY-10 (2023–present)
Hakeem Jeffries, House minority leader (2023–present) from NY-08 (2013–present)
Tim Kennedy, NY-26 (2024–present)
George Latimer, NY-16 (2025–present)
John Mannion, NY-22 (2025–present)
Gregory Meeks, NY-5 (1998–present) and chair of the Queens Democratic Party (2019–present)
Grace Meng, NY-6 (2013–present)
Joseph Morelle, NY-25 (2018–present)
Jerry Nadler, NY-12 (1992–present)
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, NY-14 (2019–present)
Josh Riley, NY-19 (2025–present)
Pat Ryan, NY-18 (2022–present)
Tom Suozzi, NY-03 (2017–2023, 2024–present)
Paul Tonko, NY-20 (2009–present)
Ritchie Torres, NY-15 (2021–present)
Ed Towns, former NY-10 (1983–2013)
Nydia Velázquez, NY-7 (1993–present)
Letitia James, attorney general of New York (2019–present)
Jamaal Bailey, SD-36 (2017–present) and chair of the Bronx Democratic Party (2020–present)
Chris Burdick, AD-93 (2021–present)
Noah Burroughs, AD-18 (2025–present)
Siela Bynoe, SD-06 (2025–present)
Robert Carroll, AD-44 (2017–present)
Jeremy Cooney, SD-56 (2021–present)
Brian Cunningham, AD-43 (2022–present)
Andrew Gounardes, SD-26 (2019–present)
Judy Griffin, AD-21 (2019–2022, 2025–present)
Rebecca Kassay, AD-04 (2025–present)
Peter Harckham, SD-40 (2019–present)
Carl Heastie, speaker of the New York State Assembly (2015–present) from AD-83 (2001–present)
Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn, AD-42 (2015–present) and chair of the Brooklyn Democratic Party (2020–present)
Pamela Hunter, speaker pro tempore of the New York State Assembly (2025–present) from AD-128 (2015–present)
Charles D. Lavine, AD-13 (2005–present)
Dana Levenberg, AD-95 (2023–present)
Bill Magnarelli, AD-129 (1999–present)
Monica Martinez, SD-04 (2023–present) and SD-03 (2019–2020)
Rachel May, SD-48 (2019–present)
Shelley Mayer, SD-37 (2018–present)
Kwani O'Pharrow, AD-11 (2025–present)
Steven Otis, AD-91 (2013–present)
Amy Paulin, AD-88 (2001–present)
Crystal Peoples-Stokes, majority leader of the New York State Assembly (2018–present) from AD-141 (2003–present)
J. Gary Pretlow, AD-89 (1993–present)
Phil Ramos, deputy speaker of the New York State Assembly (2015–2020, 2023–present) from AD-06 (2003–present)
Chris Ryan, SD-50 (2025–present)
Nader Sayegh, AD-90 (2019–present)
Tommy John Schiavoni, AD-01 (2025–present)
Frank Seddio, former AD-59 (1999–2006) and former chair of the Brooklyn Democratic Party (2012–2020)
MaryJane Shimsky, AD-92 (2023–present)
Michaelle C. Solages, deputy majority leader of the New York State Assembly from AD-22 (2013–present)
Steve Stern, AD-10 (2018–present)
Andrea Stewart-Cousins, majority leader of the New York State Senate (2019–present) from SD-35 (2007–present)
Al Stirpe, AD-127 (2007–2010, 2013–present)
Yudelka Tapia, AD-86 (2021–present)
Keith Wright, former AD-70 (1993–2016) and chair of the Manhattan Democratic Party (2009–present)
Jeremy Zellner, SD-61 (2026–present)
Malik Evans, mayor of Rochester (2022–present)
Ken Jenkins, county executive for Westchester County (2025–present)
Mark Levine, comptroller of New York City (2026–present)
Zohran Mamdani, mayor of New York City (2026–present)
Sharon Owens, mayor of Syracuse (2026–present)
Mark Poloncarz, county executive for Erie County (2012–present)
Sean Ryan, mayor of Buffalo (2026–present)
Mike Spano, mayor of Yonkers (2012–present)
Jay Jacobs, chair of the New York State Democratic Party (2019–present)
Civil Service Employees Association
District Council 37
Hotel and Gaming Trades Council
International Union of Operating Engineers Local 825
Laborers' International Union of North America
LIUNA Local 79
New York State United Teachers
Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union
SEIU 32BJ
Democratic Governors Association
EMILY's List
End Citizens United
Giffords
Jewish Democratic Council of America
New York State Alliance for Retired Americans
People for the American Way
Stonewall Democrats of New York City
Brooklyn Democratic Party
Cayuga County Democratic Party
Clinton County Democratic Committee
Erie County Democratic Committee
New York State Democratic Committee
Antonio Delgado (withdrawn)
Declined to endorse
Polling
Aggregate polls
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. representative 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.
In February 2026, Libertarian nominee Larry Sharpe announced his intention to petition his way onto the Republican primary ballot.
Candidates
Nominee
Bruce Blakeman, Nassau County executive (2021–present)
Running mate: Todd Hood, Madison County sheriff (2018–present)
Did not qualify
Pat Hahn, union leader
Larry Sharpe, business training company founder and perennial candidate
Running mate: Mike Carpinelli, Lewis County sheriff (2006–present)
David Tulley, cannabis shop owner
Withdrawn
Carl Hyde Jr., town supervisor of Bethany
Elise Stefanik, U.S. representative from New York's 21st congressional district (2015–present)
Declined
Mike Lawler, U.S. representative from New York's 17th congressional district (2023–present) (running for re-election, endorsed Stefanik)
Endorsements
Elise Stefanik (withdrawn)
Tom Emmer, House majority whip (2023–present) from MN-06 (2015–present)