Bronx Rep. Ritchie Torres is not ruling out a run for governor against fellow Democrat Gov. Kathy Hochul, telling Spectrum News NY1 “we have a leadership crisis in America, and nowhere is it more profound than in New York."

What You Need To Know

  • Bronx Rep. Ritchie Torres is not ruling out a run for governor against fellow Democrat Gov. Kathy Hochul

  • In an interview Wednesday, Torres said he has made “no final decision” but, he argued, the gains President-elect Donald Trump made in traditionally Democratic New York in this year’s election are a “vote of no confidence in the leadership of New York state"

  • Across the aisle, Republican Rep. Mike Lawler is also not ruling out a possible bid for governor

In an interview Wednesday, Torres said he has made “no final decision” but, he argued, the gains President-elect Donald Trump made in traditionally Democratic New York in this year’s election are a “vote of no confidence in the leadership of New York state.”

Although Trump did increase his vote share in New York this year over his performance in the 2016 and 2020 campaigns, the state was one of the brighter spots for Democrats in the race for control of Congress. The party won three House seats held by Republicans, in part thanks to a coordinated campaign initiative that Hochul helped lead. 

Torres in particular raised concern about the rollout of congestion pricing, arguing Hochul made the “right decision” in lowering the fee, but made the “wrong decision” in delaying its implementation. 

In a statement, a spokesperson for the Hochul campaign said, "Gov. Hochul is proud to have led New York Democrats to a successful election cycle, helping add four new Democratic members to Congress. The Governor remains focused on delivering results for New Yorkers, from driving down crime to lowering costs for working families."

An October survey from Siena College showed Hochul underwater in the polls, with 36% of likely voters saying they have a favorable opinion of her, and 51 percent saying they have an unfavorable opinion of her. 

Across the aisle, Republican Rep. Mike Lawler is also not ruling out a possible bid for governor. Over the weekend, he launched a website criticizing Hochul over her decision to revitalize congestion pricing in Midtown and lower Manhattan.

Asked last week if he was going to run for governor, Lawler said, “We’ll find out.”

Lawler is one of two New York Republicans to win reelection to competitive congressional districts in this month’s election.