WASHINGTON

US Republican Rep. Elise Stefanik on Friday announced a run for New York governor in next year’s election.

In a short video introducing her campaign, Stefanik took aim at New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, blaming her policies for the state's affordability crisis and soaring living costs.

"Elise Stefanik will clean up Kathy Hochul’s catastrophe and restore New York’s greatness," according to a voice-over in the video posted on US social media company X.

Stefanik, a close ally of President Donald Trump, called Hochul "the Worst Governor in America."

Hochul, who is running for a second full term next year, later said Stefanik "is running to deliver New York for Donald Trump and raise your costs."

"Not on my watch. My message to Trump’s “top ally” — bring it on," Hochul wrote on X.