Trump-aligned Elise Stefanik drops out of New York governor’s race

Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-NY., speaks at the Conservative Political Action Conference, CPAC, at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center, Feb. 22, 2025, in Oxon Hill, Md. AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana, File

UPSTATE — REP. ELISE STEFANIK, a conservative upstate Republican and strong supporter of President Donald Trump, announced on Friday that she was suspending her campaign for governor and would retire from her seat in Congress after her term.

“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. I did not come to this decision lightly for our family,” she wrote in a release.

Stefanik asserted she would have “overwhelmingly won this primary,” but it would not have been an effective use of time or resources “to spend the first half of next year in an unnecessary and protracted Republican primary, especially in a challenging state like New York.”

Stefanik added that she would feel “profound regret” if she didn’t focus on her young son’s safety, growth and happiness. In a recent Siena poll, Gov. Kathy Hochul led Stefanik by nearly 20 points, according to City&State.

Immediately following Stefanik’s announcement, NYGOP Chair Ed Cox endorsed Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman in the governor’s race. “As County Executive, he cut taxes, fought against radical leftwing social policies and made Nassau County the safest county in America,” Cox said in a release.

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