Trump ally Elise Stefanik ends her campaign for New York governor and will not seek re-election to Congress, citing a desire to focus on family.
WASHINGTON: US Representative Elise Stefanik (pic), a top House Republican and loyal ally of former President Donald Trump, announced she is ending her bid for New York governor and will leave politics.
Stefanik, the House Republican Conference chair, said she was halting the gubernatorial campaign she launched in November and will not seek re-election to Congress.
Her current term representing New York’s 21st congressional district expires in January 2027, concluding 12 years in office.
Her decision to challenge Democratic Governor Kathy Hochul was complicated when another Trump ally, Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, launched his own campaign for the Republican nomination.
Stefanik announced her exit from the race on X, following Blakeman’s campaign ads that aired on Fox News in West Palm Beach, Florida, where Trump resides.
Trump had previously expressed dismay at having to choose between two allies for his endorsement.
“They’re two fantastic people, and I always hate it when two very good friends of mine are running,” the New York Times quoted him as saying.
Stefanik asserted she would have “overwhelmingly won” the primary but called it an ineffective use of time and resources.
She stated that throughout her time in Congress, her “most important title is Mom.”
“I believe that being a parent is life’s greatest gift and greatest responsibility,” she wrote.
She added she would feel profound regret if she did not further focus on her young son’s safety and happiness.
Trump acknowledged her announcement on Truth Social, writing she is a “tremendous talent” and will have “GREAT success.”
Stefanik, elected the youngest woman ever to the House in 2014, moved sharply to the right after Trump’s 2016 victory.
She led efforts to scrutinise elite US colleges’ responses to campus protests over the Gaza war.
Trump nominated her as ambassador to the UN in January 2025 but withdrew her name amid concerns over the Republicans’ narrow House majority.
While New York shifted more toward Trump from 2020 to 2024, Democrats dominated several high-profile elections in November.
Stefanik’s district is not seen as competitive in next year’s midterm elections.
Hochul became governor in 2021 after Andrew Cuomo resigned and won a full term in 2022.
The last Republican-elected New York governor was George Pataki, who won a third term in 2002. – Reuters
