Stefanik Suspends Gubernatorial Campaign, Won't Seek Reelection to Congress
'I have made the decision to suspend my campaign '
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WASHINGTON — Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY) made a surprise announcement Friday that she is ending her campaign for New York governor and will not run for re-election to her House seat, citing her desire to focus on family over a prolonged primary fight.
The New York Republican, who launched her gubernatorial campaign in November, said she didn’t want to spend months in a contested primary against Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman.
“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 re-election to Congress,” Stefanik wrote in a post on X. “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.”
While Stefanik expressed confidence she would have won the primary, she said the battle ultimately did not feel like the right decision.
“It is not 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,” she said.
It is unclear if any additional Republicans will enter the primary race to face Gov. Kathy Hochul.
Despite being one of Trump’s most visible congressional allies, the president had not endorsed Stefanik in the race. At an Oval Office event earlier this month, Trump told reporters: “She’s running for a little position called governor of New York. She’s got a hell of a shot at it. She’s got a little competition with a very good Republican, but she’s a great Republican.”
Sources told NY1 that Trump had called Blakeman earlier, telling him he did not feel a win was likely in what some viewed as an attempt to dissuade him from hopping into the race.
First elected in 2014 at age 30, Stefanik evolved from a moderate Republican into a prominent Trump supporter. She became House Republican Conference chairwoman after replacing former Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.), who was removed from leadership over her criticisms of Trump.
Earlier this year, Trump selected Stefanik to serve as UN ambassador, but withdrew the nomination due to Republicans’ slim House majority.
In recent months, Stefanik has clashed publicly with House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), including pressuring him to include a provision requiring “congressional disclosure when the FBI opens counterintelligence investigations into presidential and federal candidates.”
Stefanik thanked constituents for their support over her 11 years in Congress and said her family is looking forward to “the next meaningful personal and professional chapter.”
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