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Stefanik abandons New York gubernatorial bid with Trump's failure to endorse her being the most significant reason for the decision, a source tells Fox News Digital.
Republican Rep. Elise Stefanik's surprising announcement on Friday night that she is withdrawing from the New York gubernatorial race and also not seeking re-election to her seat in Congress was significantly influenced by President Donald Trump's repeated failure to provide his full support. A GOP source close to the situation revealed to Fox News Digital that Trump passed on endorsing Stefanik's candidacy three times, including a crucial opportunity in the Oval Office with the "Miracle on Ice Team" just last week. This lack of presidential endorsement played the largest role in her decision to step back from both bids, indicating the critical weight of Trump's backing within the Republican party and signaling a major hurdle for her political aspirations.
Stefanik's initial motivation for entering the gubernatorial race last month was the belief that she would have a "clear shot" at incumbent New York Gov. Kathy Hochul. However, this perception changed dramatically when Bruce Blakeman, another prominent Trump ally and Nassau County Executive, announced his own candidacy earlier this month. The prospect of a "contested primary" against Blakeman, coupled with the absence of a presidential endorsement, made it clear to Stefanik that she would not have the necessary momentum or "wind to her back" in this election cycle. She publicly stated on X that while she was confident of winning the primary, it would be an inefficient use of "time or your generous resources" to engage in a "protracted Republican primary" in a challenging state like New York for the first half of the next year. Her decision to simultaneously leave Congress stemmed from a feeling that it was time for her to "move on" to new endeavors after a distinguished career in the House.
Throughout her tenure in Congress, Elise Stefanik has consistently demonstrated unwavering loyalty as a staunch ally of President Trump, actively defending him during both of his impeachment proceedings. Her close relationship with the former president was further underscored when Trump nominated her for the high-profile, cabinet-level position of U.S. ambassador to the United Nations. This nomination, however, was ultimately withdrawn. The decision was made to safeguard the Republican party's precariously thin majority in the House of Representatives, as there were concerns that losing Stefanik's seat in a special election could potentially hand it over to the Democrats, thereby weakening the GOP's legislative standing. This history highlights her significant role within the Republican establishment and her close ties to Trump, making the lack of an endorsement for her gubernatorial bid particularly impactful and a strong indicator of the challenges she faced without his full backing.
Following Bruce Blakeman's entry into the New York gubernatorial race, President Trump adopted a neutral position, avoiding an endorsement for either candidate. Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump acknowledged both Stefanik and Blakeman as "two fantastic people" and expressed his reluctance to see "a lot of damage done" when two of his "very good friends" were running against each other. In response to Stefanik's withdrawal, Governor Kathy Hochul's re-election campaign wasted no time in shifting its strategic focus directly to Blakeman. Her campaign released a statement declaring that Stefanik had "finally acknowledged reality: If you run against Governor Kathy Hochul, you are going to lose." The statement further criticized Donald Trump for allegedly raising costs on New Yorkers and targeting the state, while simultaneously highlighting Governor Hochul's achievements, such as cutting middle-class taxes and fighting against the administration's policies, concluding with a defiant "Bring it on" message to any Trump-backed opponent and asserting confidence in her re-election prospects.
Despite the initial perception that Bruce Blakeman's entry created a clear alternative for the Republican nomination, the landscape of the New York GOP gubernatorial race remains highly "fluid" following Stefanik's withdrawal. A source informed Fox News Digital that "multiple county leaders are reaching out to Congressman Mike Lawler" as another prospective candidate. This indicates that it is "premature" to assume the state Republican party is already "coalescing around Blakeman." Many political stakeholders are "taking time to regroup" and assess the best path forward, suggesting that the primary contest is far from settled and new contenders or alignments could still emerge. This dynamic situation underscores the ongoing strategic considerations within the party to find the strongest possible candidate to challenge Governor Hochul in the upcoming election, with leaders exploring various options beyond initial assumptions.
In the wake of Elise Stefanik's decision, various political figures offered their public responses. Bruce Blakeman, a fellow Republican contender, extended his well wishes, posting on X that he desired "nothing but success" for Congresswoman Stefanik as she pursued her priorities. He also emphasized the critical importance of Republicans and all New Yorkers coming together "in unity" at this pivotal moment for the state. Congressman Mike Lawler, another prominent figure, also reacted on X, praising Stefanik as "a terrific Congresswoman" and someone who "would have been a great governor," stating his respect for her decision and wishing her and her family the best as she moves forward. The White House, when approached for comment, directed Fox News Digital to social media posts from President Trump and his press secretary, Karoline Leavitt. Trump, in a Truth Social post, called Stefanik a "fantastic person and Congresswoman" and stated she "will have GREAT success," affirming his full support. Leavitt echoed this sentiment on X, calling Stefanik an "incredible advocate" and a "true friend to President Trump," adding a personal note of affection from a former boss-employee relationship and reiterating her admiration for Stefanik's leadership.