Rep. Elise Stefanik ends her campaign for New York governor and won’t seek reelection to House

Rep. Stefanik Exits New York Governor Race, Will Not Seek Congressional Reelection

Rep. Elise Stefanik announced Friday she is suspending her campaign for New York governor and will not seek reelection to Congress, stepping away from what was expected to be a contentious Republican primary battle.

Stefanik, a prominent ally of former President Donald Trump, stated she was confident in her chances against Bruce Blakeman, a county official from New York City’s suburbs, but determined the race “is not an effective use of our time.” Her decision was largely influenced by family considerations.

“I have thought deeply about this and I know that as a mother, I will feel profound regret if I don’t further focus on my young son’s safety, growth, and happiness — particularly at his tender age,” Stefanik explained in her statement.

The congresswoman’s exit represents a significant shift in New York’s political landscape. Stefanik had emerged as a vocal critic of incumbent Democratic Governor Kathy Hochul, who is seeking reelection but faces a primary challenge from Lieutenant Governor Antonio Delgado. Following Stefanik’s withdrawal, Hochul’s campaign confidently declared, “If you run against Governor Kathy Hochul, you are going to lose.”

Stefanik’s political journey has been remarkable. When first elected to Congress in 2014 at age 30, she made history as the youngest woman ever to win a House seat, representing a conservative district in northern New York. Her ascent within Republican leadership culminated in her 2021 appointment as chair of the House Republican Conference.

Her political evolution has been equally notable. Initially viewed as a moderate Republican, Stefanik pivoted dramatically rightward during Trump’s presidency. Once reluctant to even mention Trump’s name, she transformed into one of his staunchest defenders during his first impeachment inquiry and later voted against certifying the 2020 election results, even after the January 6 Capitol riot.

Trump acknowledged Stefanik’s announcement on his Truth Social platform, calling her “a fantastic person and congresswoman” and adding, “Elise is a tremendous talent, regardless of what she does. She will have GREAT success, and I am with her all the way!”

Last year, Stefanik was briefly considered for the role of U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations under Trump’s administration, though her nomination was later withdrawn over concerns about the Republican Party’s narrow margins in the House. She subsequently began positioning herself for a gubernatorial run.

Her decision to exit the race comes after recent tensions with House Speaker Mike Johnson. In early December, Stefanik publicly criticized Johnson, calling him a “political novice” in a Wall Street Journal interview and suggesting he wouldn’t be reelected speaker if a vote were held today. The dispute erupted after a provision she championed was omitted from a defense authorization bill, prompting Stefanik to accuse Johnson of dishonesty.

Although Johnson later indicated they had reconciled following what he described as “intense fellowship,” Stefanik never fully retracted her criticisms. A December 2 social media post remains online in which she accused the Speaker of “more lies.”

Blakeman, now the likely Republican nominee for governor, released a gracious statement Friday night thanking Stefanik “for her outstanding service to the people of New York and to all Americans.”

“I am ready to work hand-in-hand with the Congresswoman and all New Yorkers to restore accountability, affordability, and safety to state government,” he said.

Stefanik’s withdrawal marks the end of a politically eventful decade in Congress. Her evolution from moderate Republican to Trump loyalist reflects the broader transformation of the party during this period. As she steps away from both her gubernatorial ambitions and congressional career, New York’s political dynamics continue to shift in what promises to be a closely watched election cycle.