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In a stunning political move, Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY) announced Friday that she is withdrawing from New York’s 2026 governor’s race and will not seek re-election to the U.S. House of Representatives.The House Republican Conference chair, a close ally of President Trump, had been considered the clear frontrunner for the GOP nomination and enjoyed support from nearly every county Republican committee in the state.
But in a statement posted to X, Stefanik said she was stepping aside to avoid what she called a “costly and unnecessary” primary fight and to spend more time with her young family.
“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. “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.”
Stefanik, 41, who has represented New York’s 21st Congressional District since 2015, thanked her constituents and said her decision was driven by family priorities. “While many know me as Congresswoman, my most important title is Mom,” she said. “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.”
Her announcement came just one week after Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, another Trump ally, entered the GOP primary for governor. The two had traded sharp words over the past week, with Stefanik attacking Blakeman’s record shortly after his campaign launch. Her abrupt exit clears the path for Blakeman to become the likely Republican nominee to challenge Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul, who is seeking a second full term.
“I want to thank Congresswoman Elise Stefanik for her outstanding service to the people of New York and to all Americans,” Blakeman said in a statement to The New York Post. “Throughout her time in public office, Congresswoman Stefanik has been a strong voice for common-sense values, national security, and economic opportunity. At this pivotal moment for New York, it is essential that Republicans and all New Yorkers come together in unity.”
New York State Republican Party Chairman Ed Cox, who had previously endorsed Stefanik, quickly shifted his support to Blakeman. “Elise Stefanik will remain a leader in our party and a powerful voice for our principles. We respect her decision and thank her for her efforts,” Cox said. “Bruce Blakeman has my endorsement, and I urge our State Committee and party leaders to join me.”
New York’s Conservative Party Chairman Jerry Kassar also praised Stefanik and signaled his intention to rally conservatives behind Blakeman. “We are disappointed that Congresswoman Elise Stefanik won’t be running for governor this year, but we respect her decision and wish her the best,” Kassar said.
President Donald Trump, who had remained neutral in the budding primary contest, responded warmly to Stefanik’s decision. “Elise is a tremendous talent, regardless of what she does,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “She will have GREAT success, and I am with her all the way!”
Trump had reportedly considered nominating Stefanik as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations earlier this year but ultimately kept her in Congress to preserve the GOP’s narrow House majority.
Gov. Hochul’s campaign sought to capitalize on Stefanik’s withdrawal. “Elise Stefanik has finally acknowledged reality: If you run against Governor Kathy Hochul, you are going to lose,” Hochul spokesperson Ryan Radulovacki said. He went on to attack Blakeman as “100% MAGA” and accused him of mismanaging Nassau County’s public hospital system.
Polling last month showed Hochul maintaining a solid lead over both Stefanik and Blakeman, though more than half of New Yorkers said they would prefer new leadership in Albany.
While she is bowing out of electoral politics — at least for now — Stefanik is expected to serve out the remainder of her term, which runs through January 2027. Her allies say she is likely to remain influential in national Republican politics and could return to a future role in a second Trump administration.
