0:24Chairwoman of House Republican Leadership, Elise Stefanik is joined by state GOP lawmakers during a news conference where she spoke in opposition to Gov. Kathy Hochul, June 9, 2025, at the Capitol in Albany, N.Y. Will Waldron/Albany Times Union via Getty Images)
Republican Representative Elise Stefanik, a prominent supporter of President Donald Trump, declared on Friday afternoon her decision to halt her campaign for governor of New York, as well as her choice not to seek reelection to the U.S. House of Representatives, just a few months after she initiated her effort to take over the governorship currently occupied by Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul.
"I am genuinely grateful and honored for the historic and immense backing from Republicans, Conservatives, Independents, and Democrats throughout the state for our initiative to Save New York," Stefanik mentioned in a message on X.
Chairwoman of House Republican Leadership, Elise Stefanik is joined by state GOP lawmakers during a news conference where she spoke in opposition to Gov. Kathy Hochul, June 9, 2025, at the Capitol in Albany, N.Y. Will Waldron/Albany Times Union via Getty Images)
"However, as we have observed in previous elections, although we would have decisively won this primary, it is not a productive use of our time or your generous resources to dedicate the first portion of next year to an unnecessary and prolonged Republican primary, especially in a demanding state like New York."
She also mentioned her desire to spend more time with her son.
Since the launch of her gubernatorial campaign in November, Stefanik had garnered support from various local Republican county organizations in New York, but she was contending with a primary challenger in Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, who declared his own candidacy.
Trump, whom Stefanik has backed, had refrained from endorsing either candidate up to this point, describing both Stefanik and Blakeman as "fantastic."
"First of all, he's a friend. She's a friend. These are two wonderful individuals competing in a manner I dislike to witness them going against each other,” Trump remarked earlier this month.
President Donald Trump shakes hands with Rep. Elise Stefanik during a bill-signing event to award Congressional Gold Medals to the 1980 US Olympic ice hockey team in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, December 12, 2025. Francis Chung/EPA/Shutterstock
Stefanik was first elected to represent New York in the House in 2014, becoming the youngest woman ever to secure a seat in Congress at that time. She emerged as a prominent figure within the GOP and ascended to House leadership in 2021 as chair of the House Republican Conference.
Trump selected her to be his U.S. ambassador to the United Nations shortly after his electoral victory in November 2024, commending her in a statement to ABC News as "an exceptionally strong, tough, and intelligent America First advocate."
However, months later, Trump stated he was requesting her to withdraw her nomination, citing extremely narrow margins in the Republican-controlled House. Stefanik expressed she was "proud to be a team player" and agreed to step aside.
Trump and White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt responded to Stefanik’s decision.
“Elise is an incredible talent, no matter what path she chooses. She will achieve GREAT success, and I support her all the way!” Trump shared on his social media platform on Friday.
Leavitt, who worked as Stefanik’s communications director following Trump’s 2020 election loss, referred to Stefanik as an "outstanding advocate" and a "true friend to President Trump."
Sourse: abcnews.go.com