If you’ve been scrolling through your feed lately wondering who is the new governor of New York, the answer might actually surprise you because, well, she isn't exactly "new" anymore. But she’s definitely making headlines like it’s her first day on the job.
Kathy Hochul is the person in the big chair. She’s the 57th Governor of New York and, notably, the first woman to ever hold the position. She didn't get there through a typical election cycle at first; she stepped up from the Lieutenant Governor spot in August 2021 when Andrew Cuomo resigned. Then, she secured her own full four-year term in a nail-biter of an election in November 2022.
Right now, in early 2026, she’s still very much the boss in Albany. In fact, she just delivered her 2026 State of the State address a few days ago, and it was a doozy.
Who is the New Governor of New York and What Is She Doing Now?
Honestly, even though she’s been in office for a few years, many people still search for "who is the new governor of New York" because her administration feels like a constant pivot from the old "Albany machine" style.
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Just this week, on January 13, 2026, Hochul stood up at the Hart Theatre and laid out a massive agenda. We’re talking over 200 initiatives. It’s clear she’s trying to shake the "accidental governor" label once and for all.
The 2026 Agenda: Affordability and Ghost Guns
If you live in the Empire State, you know the cost of living is basically a nightmare. Hochul’s newest plan focuses heavily on "putting money back in pockets."
- Universal Child Care: She’s pushing a $1.7 billion investment to make child care free for two-year-olds in NYC and expand pre-K everywhere else.
- The "Let Them Build" Plan: She wants to slash the red tape that makes building houses so expensive. It’s a bold move because local zoning boards usually hate when the state tells them what to do.
- Insurance Crackdown: She actually said car insurance rates are "too damn high." She’s not wrong. New Yorkers are paying about $4,000 a year on average. She’s going after "staged accident" scams to try and bring those premiums down.
A New Fight Against Technology
One of the weirder, more futuristic parts of her current platform involves 3D printers. No, really. Hochul is pushing legislation to block 3D printers sold in New York from being able to print gun parts. She also wants to make it a crime just to possess the digital blueprints for these "ghost guns." It's a high-tech approach to public safety that has both supporters and massive critics.
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The Political Drama: Is There a New Governor Coming?
Here’s where it gets interesting. 2026 is an election year.
Technically, Kathy Hochul is the governor today, but she’s already facing a massive challenge for the upcoming Democratic primary in June. Her own Lieutenant Governor, Antonio Delgado, is running against her.
It’s kinda awkward, right? Imagine your vice president deciding they want your job and campaigning against you while you’re still working in the same office. Delgado launched his campaign in mid-2025, and the relationship between the two has reportedly been pretty frosty.
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The Republican Side
On the other side of the aisle, the GOP is rallying behind Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman. He’s got the backing of some big names, including a late-2025 endorsement from Donald Trump. So, while Hochul is the governor right now, the answer to "who is the new governor" might change by the time we hit January 2027.
Kathy Hochul’s Record: A Quick Reality Check
To understand who the governor is, you have to look at what she’s actually done since 2021.
- Micron in Central NY: She just celebrated the groundbreaking of a massive semiconductor plant in Onondaga County. It’s the largest private investment in the state's history.
- Smartphone Ban: Starting last September, she enacted a "bell-to-bell" restriction on smartphones in K-12 schools. Parents either love her or hate her for that one.
- Subway Expansion: She’s funneling money into extending the Second Avenue Subway toward Broadway and 125th Street.
She’s also been criticized for being "vulnerable." Her approval ratings haven't always been stellar, and some progressives feel she hasn't gone far enough on criminal justice reform. Meanwhile, conservatives think her "Let Them Build" agenda is an overreach of state power.
What You Should Do Next
If you’re a New York resident or just someone following the politics of the nation’s fourth-largest state, the "new" governor isn't just a name on a ballot anymore—she’s a policy maker with a very active 2026.
- Check Your Mail: Hochul announced that "inflation refund" checks of up to $400 are being sent out to over 8 million households. Keep an eye on your mailbox this fall.
- Register to Vote: If you want to decide who the next new governor is, the primary is June 23, 2026. You’ve got to be registered with a party to vote in that one.
- Follow the Budget: The state budget negotiations are happening right now (January 2026). This is where the "Universal Child Care" and "Let Them Build" ideas either become reality or die in a committee room.
Kathy Hochul is currently steering the ship, but with an election just months away and a rebellious Lieutenant Governor on her heels, the political landscape in Albany is anything but settled.