Incumbent
Polling Average
60%50%40%30%20%10%0%
51.8%
12.8%
10.3%
New York Democratic Governor nominee?
$200.5K
JUN 27, 2026Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Overview
Current roleGovernor
PartyDemocratic
Political ideologyModerate Democrat
Age67 years old (Aug 27, 1958)
GenderFemale
Show moreShow less
LocationNew York
BackgroundPolitician
EducationSyracuse University (B.A., Political Science)
Notable personal detailsKathy Hochul is an American politician and lawyer who has served as the 57th governor of New York since 2021, becoming the first woman to hold the office. She previously served as lieutenant governor of New York and earlier represented New York’s 26th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives. Her career also includes local elected service in Erie County, including as Erie County Clerk.
SourcesShowHide
governor.ny.goven.wikipedia.orgwikidata.orgbritannica.comes.wikipedia.orgkathyhochul.compt.wikipedia.orgde.wikipedia.orgfr.wikipedia.orglaw.edutimesunion.comwashingtonpost.comyahoo.comawpc.cattcenter.iastate.eduassembly.state.ny.usfamousbirthdays.commssny.orgabny.orgmarathonstrategies.commemo.odonnellsolutions.comweos.orglavocedinewyork.comcbsnews.comny.govnyserda.ny.govapnews.comvoterguide.ballotpedia.orgdeveloper.ballotpedia.orgcba.ballotpedia.orgjustfacts.votesmart.orgnga.org
Positions
LiberalConservative
Economy & Taxes
Supports targeted relief for middle- and lower-income New Yorkers (middle‑class tax cuts, inflation refund checks, expanded child tax credit and other credits) while maintaining or extending higher rates on top earners and using revenue to fund expanded social programs and services rather than broad tax cuts for corporations. Budget proposals emphasize no across‑the‑board income or corporate tax rate increases but preserve progressive rate structure and investments in childcare, education, and social services.
Healthcare
Kathy Hochul supports expanding access to affordable health care through strengthened Medicaid, large state investments in hospitals and safety-net programs, and policy initiatives to broaden coverage and services for New Yorkers. Her administration has created a Commission on the Future of Health Care, increased Medicaid funding and provider reimbursements, and proposed state-level programs to expand benefits and services. These positions emphasize public program expansion and access improvements rather than privatization or Medicare-for-All advocacy.
Show moreShow less
Immigration & Border
Supports protecting asylum access and expanding legal work authorization and federal support for asylum seekers in New York; opposes large-scale mass deportations and directs limited state cooperation with federal immigration enforcement (e.g., warrants or terrorism/watchlist cases).
Abortion & Reproductive Rights
Supports preserving and expanding legal access to abortion and reproductive health care in New York, has signed multiple laws to protect patients and providers (including telehealth and shield laws), and describes New York as a safe harbor for abortion care. Advocates resisting out-of-state abortion restrictions and has taken executive actions and endorsements of legislation to strengthen abortion access and provider protections.
Climate & Energy
Supports aggressive clean-energy and emissions-reduction policies including New York’s Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act targets, large state investments in offshore wind and a $1 billion Sustainable Future program, and commitments to building decarbonization and heat-pump deployment. Prioritizes transitioning the electricity sector to zero emissions (targeted by 2040), major renewable procurement (including offshore wind), and programs to electrify buildings and support disadvantaged communities in the clean-energy transition.
Public Safety & Guns
Supports strong, expanded gun safety laws including closing loopholes on assault weapons and ghost guns, strengthening and expanding red flag laws, and expanding background-check and other restrictions to reduce gun violence. Has signed multiple statewide bills to tighten gun laws and proposed significant investments to combat gun violence and illegal firearms. Calls for federal action to complement New York’s measures.
News
AINews Summary
Last updatedMay 19, 2026
Kathy Hochul is in the news for her New York budget fight, where she says she is done raising taxes even as she backs a new levy on multi-million-dollar second homes and pushes other cost-saving changes. She has also proposed limits on ICE cooperation and a ban on law enforcement face coverings as part of the late state budget talks. On the campaign side, her path to reelection has gotten easier after Lt. Gov. Antonio Delgado dropped his primary challenge, and she recently picked up an endorsement from GIFFORDS.
governor.ny.gov+30
Articles
NNewsweek13 days ago
Map Shows Where Republicans Lost Registered Voters 6 Months From Midterms
Positive
NYNew York Post28 days ago
Hochul insists she's done raising taxes
Neutral
Ssyracuse.com1 month ago
Kathy Hochul wants to ban face coverings for law enforcement, limit ICE cooperation in New York
Neutral
WPWhite Plains Journal News1 month ago
Gun rights platforms, lawsuits lead NY governor's race this week
Positive
Polls
New York Democratic Governor nominee?
Aggregation source: FiftyPlusOne
Endorsements
New York Democratic Governor nominee?
Endorsers of Kathy Hochul for New York Democratic Governor nominee?
Zohran Mamdani
Elected official
Zohran Mamdani endorsed Kathy Hochul for reelection as New York governor.
New updates coming soon
We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
- Fundraising