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Stefanik Exits New York Governor Race, Will Not Seek House Re-election
Rep. Elise Stefanik announced Friday she is suspending her campaign for New York governor and will not seek re-election to Congress, citing family considerations just over a month after launching her bid to unseat Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul.
“While spending precious time with my family this Christmas season, I have made the decision to suspend my campaign for Governor and will not seek reelection to Congress,” Stefanik wrote in a message posted to social media. “And while many know me as Congresswoman, my most important title is Mom. I believe that being a parent is life’s greatest gift and greatest responsibility.”
The 41-year-old Republican, who represents a conservative-leaning district in upstate New York, had officially declared her candidacy in November after months of preparation. Her platform centered on addressing crime, taxes, and affordability issues across the Empire State.
President Donald Trump, who had nominated Stefanik to serve as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations earlier this year before rescinding the nomination over concerns about potentially losing her House seat, praised her decision.
“Elise Stefanik, a fantastic person and Congresswoman from New York State, has just announced she won’t be running for Governor,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “Elise is a tremendous talent, regardless of what she does. She will have GREAT success, and I am with her all the way!”
Stefanik’s exit from the race comes shortly after Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, another Trump ally, announced his candidacy for the Republican gubernatorial nomination last week. Stefanik acknowledged in her statement that it wouldn’t be an “effective use of our time or your generous resources to spend the first half of next year in an unnecessary and protracted Republican primary, especially in a challenging state like New York.”
The Harvard graduate made history in 2014 as the youngest woman ever elected to the U.S. House. Initially considered a moderate Republican who had worked in the George W. Bush administration and as an aide on the Romney-Ryan 2012 presidential campaign, Stefanik transformed into a staunch MAGA supporter during Trump’s first term.
Her loyalty to Trump, including defending him during his first impeachment, elevated her through the ranks of GOP House leadership. After Trump won the 2024 presidential election, he nominated her for the UN ambassadorship, but later withdrew the nomination due to concerns about maintaining the Republicans’ narrow House majority.
Despite being the clear polling and fundraising frontrunner for the Republican gubernatorial nomination, sources close to Stefanik told Fox News Digital that she was concerned a primary battle would make her already difficult challenge against Hochul in Democratic-leaning New York even steeper.
Blakeman, in a statement responding to Stefanik’s withdrawal, praised her “outstanding service to the people of New York and to all Americans” and called her “a strong voice for common-sense values, national security, and economic opportunity.”
Throughout her brief campaign, Stefanik had been a vocal critic of Hochul, repeatedly calling her “the worst governor in America” and attempting to tie the governor to New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani, a socialist and the city’s first Muslim mayor. However, Trump’s cordial meeting with Mamdani at the White House after his election victory appeared to undercut Stefanik’s messaging.
The Democratic Governors Association quickly claimed Stefanik “saw the writing on the wall and knew she would lose — big — to Governor Hochul,” while the governor’s campaign asserted that “Stefanik has finally acknowledged reality: If you run against Governor Kathy Hochul, you are going to lose.”
With Stefanik’s departure, Blakeman, whom the Hochul campaign characterized as “100% MAGA,” becomes the leading Republican contender in what remains an uphill battle to win the governorship in predominantly Democratic New York in 2026.
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8 Comments
Family considerations appear to have been the driving force behind Stefanik’s decision. While it’s a surprise, it’s refreshing to see a politician put personal priorities first. This could open up new opportunities in both the gubernatorial and congressional races in New York.
Stefanik’s withdrawal from the New York governor’s race and decision not to seek re-election to Congress is an interesting move. Her stated reasons of prioritizing family responsibilities are commendable, though the implications for the state’s political landscape remain to be seen.
Stefanik’s announcement is a surprising development. While her reasons for stepping back from politics are admirable, it leaves some open questions about the future of the Republican party in New York. This could create opportunities for new candidates to emerge.
Interesting development in New York politics. Stefanik’s decision to suspend her gubernatorial campaign and not seek re-election to the House seems to reflect a focus on family. It will be worth following how this impacts the state’s political landscape going forward.
Stefanik’s decision to focus on family over political ambition is a refreshing change of pace. It will be intriguing to see how this impacts the race for New York governor and who steps up to run for her House seat. A shift in the state’s political dynamics seems likely.
Stefanik’s withdrawal from the New York governor’s race and decision not to seek re-election to Congress is an unexpected move. Her reasons of putting family first are understandable, though it will be intriguing to see how this impacts the political landscape in the state.
You make a good point. Stefanik’s decision to prioritize family is commendable, even if it shakes up the political landscape. It will be interesting to see how her district and the gubernatorial race unfold without her.
Stefanik’s announcement is notable, given her prominence within the Republican party. Her decision to prioritize family over political ambition is admirable. It will be interesting to see how this shapes the race for New York governor and her House seat.