Kathy Hochul Pushes Back on Elise Stefanik, Accidentally Hands Her the Winning Argument

Gov. Kathy Hochul’s campaign pushed back this week against Rep. Elise Stefanik’s criticism that New York is the “most unaffordable state in the nation,” but the data her team used to defend the governor showed the state ranking near the bottom on affordability, as reported by The New York Post.

Stefanik made the remark in Politico’s Playbook on Monday, saying:

“Kathy Hochul’s biggest accomplishment is earning the title of the Worst Governor in America who has made New York the most unaffordable state in the nation with the highest taxes, energy, and utility prices.”

In response, Hochul’s campaign pointed Politico to a US News & World Report affordability ranking that placed New York 45th out of 50 — making it the sixth least affordable state in the country rather than the absolute last.

The ranking was presented as a rebuttal, despite confirming that New York lags behind most of the nation on cost-of-living measures.

‘I’m Really Proud of That’: Kathy Hochul Declares Victory in Bragging to Reporters that New York is Still One of the Most Unaffordable States in the Nation

SARATOGA, N.Y. – Congresswoman Elise Stefanik, Republican candidate for Governor, released the following statement:

“Kathy…

— Elise Stefanik (@EliseStefanik) December 9, 2025

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Campaign spokesperson Ryan Radulovacki said Tuesday, “As usual, Elise Stefanik is full of sh*t — this time to cover up her ‘deciding vote’ for Trump’s cost-raising agenda, her votes to cut police funding, and her greenlighting Trump’s expensive tariffs that are squeezing small businesses and making everything cost more for hardworking New Yorkers.”

Hochul was asked at an unrelated press conference to identify her proudest achievement as governor. She pointed to economic improvements and public safety following the pandemic.

“I think the whole system of trying to stabilize this state in the aftermath of the pandemic and declare success now, I’m really proud of that,” she said.

US News & World Report’s state-by-state metrics include several categories beyond affordability. New York ranked 49th in opportunity and 34th in infrastructure.

The state landed in the middle of the pack in crime and corrections at 24th and ranked in the top 10 for fiscal stability, natural environment, and healthcare.

Other states ranked as even less affordable than New York included California, New Jersey, Hawaii, Massachusetts, and Washington.

Stefanik told The Post on Tuesday, “Kathy Hochul’s tax-and-spend agenda has made New York the highest taxed and regulated state in the nation with the highest levels of population loss.”

She added, “New Yorkers simply can’t afford Hochul — yet her best line of defense is to highlight how unaffordable New York is under her failed leadership. Next year, New Yorkers will fire the Worst Governor in America to save our state from Hochul’s unaffordable taxes, rent, energy costs, and groceries bills.”

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