New York Rep Elise Stefanik, (R-NY-21) announced on Friday that she is suspending her gubernatorial campaign and will not seek reelection to Congress.Stefanik posted a lengthy message just before 4 p.m. on her X account, saying she made the decision to end her political ambitions “While spending precious time with my family this Christmas season.”The six-term North Country representative said that “while we would have overwhelmingly won this primary, 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 cited the desire to spend more time with her family and mentioned being there for her son as reasons she decided to make the difficult decision to step away from politics.”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,” the statement read in part.Stefanik, long a staunch supporter of President Donald Trump, had set herself up as a potential challenger to New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, whom she had called “the worst governor in America.”Earlier this month, fellow Republican and Nassau County official Bruce Blakeman, whom President Trump had labeled “100% MAGA” announced his own bid for governor, setting up a contested primary between himself and Stefanik.State Republican Chairman Ed Cox said the party respected Stefanik’s decision and thanked her for her efforts.“Bruce Blakeman has my endorsement and I urge our State Committee and party leaders to join me,” Cox said in a prepared statement. “Bruce is a fighter who has proven he knows how to win in difficult political terrain.”Political scientist Rob Seyb, who formerly worked at Skidmore College, said he was initially shocked at the news, but thinks Blakeman entering the race had something to do with Stefanik’s announcement.”She didn’t think he was ‘a serious candidate,'” said Seyb. “She’d still have to raise money. She still had to campaign. She’d still have to get her organization together. She would come out of that primary in some way damaged because primaries, warfare like this, oftentimes exposes issues or themes or controversies that Kathy Hochul could have used in the general election campaign. So, I think all those probably played into her thinking.”A recent Sienna Research Poll had showed Hochul’s lead over Stefanik in a theoretical 2026 matchup has decreased to 20%, down from a 25% lead in September.Trump nominated Stefanik for U.N. ambassador earlier this year, only to withdraw that nomination over concerns that the slim GOP majority couldn’t afford to lose any more House seats. Hochul, meanwhile, is facing a contested primary, with her own lieutenant governor, Antonio Delgado, running against her.This is a developing story.Editor’s note: The Associated Press contributed to this report.This story has been updated to reflect that Stefanik is in her sixth term in the House.
NEW YORK —
New York Rep Elise Stefanik, (R-NY-21) announced on Friday that she is suspending her gubernatorial campaign and will not seek reelection to Congress.
Stefanik posted a lengthy message just before 4 p.m. on her X account, saying she made the decision to end her political ambitions “While spending precious time with my family this Christmas season.”
The six-term North Country representative said that “while we would have overwhelmingly won this primary, 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 cited the desire to spend more time with her family and mentioned being there for her son as reasons she decided to make the difficult decision to step away from politics.
“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,” the statement read in part.
Stefanik, long a staunch supporter of President Donald Trump, had set herself up as a potential challenger to New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, whom she had called “the worst governor in America.”
Earlier this month, fellow Republican and Nassau County official Bruce Blakeman, whom President Trump had labeled “100% MAGA” announced his own bid for governor, setting up a contested primary between himself and Stefanik.
State Republican Chairman Ed Cox said the party respected Stefanik’s decision and thanked her for her efforts.
“Bruce Blakeman has my endorsement and I urge our State Committee and party leaders to join me,” Cox said in a prepared statement. “Bruce is a fighter who has proven he knows how to win in difficult political terrain.”
Political scientist Rob Seyb, who formerly worked at Skidmore College, said he was initially shocked at the news, but thinks Blakeman entering the race had something to do with Stefanik’s announcement.
“She didn’t think he was ‘a serious candidate,'” said Seyb. “She’d still have to raise money. She still had to campaign. She’d still have to get her organization together. She would come out of that primary in some way damaged because primaries, warfare like this, oftentimes exposes issues or themes or controversies that Kathy Hochul could have used in the general election campaign. So, I think all those probably played into her thinking.”
A recent Sienna Research Poll had showed Hochul’s lead over Stefanik in a theoretical 2026 matchup has decreased to 20%, down from a 25% lead in September.
Trump nominated Stefanik for U.N. ambassador earlier this year, only to withdraw that nomination over concerns that the slim GOP majority couldn’t afford to lose any more House seats.
Hochul, meanwhile, is facing a contested primary, with her own lieutenant governor, Antonio Delgado, running against her.
This is a developing story.
Editor’s note: The Associated Press contributed to this report.
This story has been updated to reflect that Stefanik is in her sixth term in the House.