Can Mamdani Be Ousted As NYC Mayor? Trump Ally's Gubernatorial Bid Sparks Buzz

Last Updated:November 08, 2025, 16:44 IST

US Representative and Trump ally Elise Stefanik formally entered the race for New York's next Governor in 2026, after Zohran Mamdani was elected as the city's new Mayor.

New York-elect Zohran Mamdani and US Representative Elise Stefanik. (Reuters)

Zohran Mamdani, the 34-year-old Assemblyman from Queens, scripted history by becoming the first Muslim and Indian-origin Mayor of New York City. Soon afterwards, Trump ally and Republican Representative Elise Stefanik formally entered the gubernatorial race against New York Governor Kathy Hochul for the 2026 elections.

Stefanik, an outspoken critic of Hochul and Mamdani, announced her candidacy on Friday, and many see this as a way to remove the newly elected Mamdani from his post as NYC Mayor. Notably, Mamdani was endorsed by Hochul during the race against New York’s former Governor Andrew Cuomo, who ran as an independent candidate.

Soon after Mamdani’s victory, Stefanik called Hochul the “worst governor in America" and New York “the most unaffordable state in the nation." She also called Mamdani an “antisemite, jihadist, and communist."

Can Stefanik Remove Mamdani?

If Stefanik wins the 2026 elections against Hochul, she can use a rarely used gubernatorial power to remove Mamdani, potentially changing the balance of power in America’s largest city. Under the New York state constitution, the governor possesses the authority to remove the mayor and other local officials from office.

Although this mechanism has been dormant for decades, the governor of New York possesses the authority, under the New York City Charter and the state constitution, to remove mayors and other local officials, as per Newsweek.

“The mayor may be removed from office by the governor upon charges and after service upon him of a copy of the charges and an opportunity to be heard in his defence. Pending the preparation and disposition of charges, the governor may suspend the mayor for a period not exceeding thirty days," says the NYC Charter.

However, the process also requires a formal legal process—including the lodging of charges, the serving of those charges to the official in question, and an opportunity for the mayor to respond and present a defence, including cross-examining witnesses under oath.

What Happens If A Mayor Is Removed?

If the mayor is removed, the city could be required to hold a special election within 90 days, depending on the timing of the removal and the provisions of the city charter. However, this provision has been used very rarely by governors.

The process has traditionally been reserved only for actions deemed “official misconduct or violation of public trust, or one that involves moral turpitude" committed during the official’s current term, according to a ruling by the state Supreme Court in 1932.

At that time, Justice Ellis Staley was hearing the challenges to the extent of the removal powers of then-New York Governor Franklin Roosevelt. The last time a New York City official was actually removed was in 1932, when Roosevelt removed Manhattan Sheriff Thomas Farley from office.

A judge cannot overturn the governor’s decision, Politico reported earlier this year when examining Hochul’s powers to remove New York City Mayor Eric Adams from office.

Does Stefanik Have A Chance?

According to polling conducted by the Manhattan Institute, a conservative think tank, Stefanik held a slight edge over Hochul, with 43% of polltakers supporting Stefanik and 42% backing Hochul. However, other polls showed Hochul ahead of Stefanik.

“I am running for governor to bring a new generation of leadership to Albany to make New York affordable and safe for families all across our great state," Stefanik said in a statement issued Friday. Her campaign will bring strong recognition, fundraising prowess and deep ties to the White House.

Stefanik, a Harvard graduate, was 30 when she was first elected to the House in 2014. She entered Congress as a moderate Republican but soon attached herself to Trump, reshaping her persona into more of a brash, outspoken MAGA disciple.

Aveek Banerjee

Aveek Banerjee is a Senior Sub Editor at News18. Based in Noida with a Master's in Global Studies, Aveek has more than three years of experience in digital media and news curation, specialising in international...Read More

Aveek Banerjee is a Senior Sub Editor at News18. Based in Noida with a Master's in Global Studies, Aveek has more than three years of experience in digital media and news curation, specialising in international...

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