Elise Stefanik Withdraws from New York Governor Campaign
On Friday, Rep. Elise Stefanik announced she would suspend her gubernatorial campaign and forego reelection to the House.
The decision removed a likely tough primary against Bruce Blakeman, the Long Island county official.
She said the race was not an effective use of time and preferred to focus on her son and family.
Stefanik had confidence in winning but chose to step back for personal reasons.
President Donald Trump praised her on Truth Social, though he avoided choosing a side in the race.
Gov. Kathy Hochul’s campaign now has no major Republican challenger, and her spokesperson warned any opponent would likely lose.
Antonio Delgado, the lieutenant governor, has entered the Democratic primary, intensifying intraparty contention.
Stefanik was first elected in 2014 at age 30, becoming the House’s youngest woman at that time.
She became chair of the House Republican Conference in 2021 after shifting toward a more conservative stance.
Her record includes defending former President Trump and opposing certification of the 2020 election results.
A withdrawn UN ambassador nomination led her to pursue the gubernatorial race.
She recently clashed with Speaker Mike Johnson over a defense bill