GOP Congresswoman Elise Stefanik announced her departure from the 2026 New York gubernatorial election on Friday to avoid an “unnecessary and protracted Republican primary,” she said in a statement.
She also said she will not seek reelection to Congress.
In addition to avoiding a primary election, Stefanik reasoned that her family is more important than being a politician. “I have thought deeply about this and I know that 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,” Stefanik said.
As The Gateway Pundit reported, Stefanik announced her candidacy with a dramatic campaign video, highlighting the failed policies of the “worst governor in America,” current Democratic Governor Kathy Hochul, and laying out her vision to “Make New York Affordable and Safe.”
JUST IN: “Hochul is the Worst Governor in America” – Elise Stefanik Launches Gubernatorial Bid with Stirring Campaign Video, Vows to “Clean Up Kathy Hochul’s Catastrophe” (VIDEO)
Her decision to drop out clears the path for Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman to be the Republican Nominee as Kathy Hochul seeks reelection.
In a lengthy statement on X, Stefanik wrote,
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. I did not come to this decision lightly for our family.
I am truly humbled and grateful for the historic and overwhelming support from Republicans, Conservatives, Independents, and Democrats all across the state for our campaign to Save New York.
However, as we have seen in past elections, 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.
And while many know me as Congresswoman, my most important title is Mom. I believe that being a parent is life’s greatest gift and greatest responsibility. I have thought deeply about this and I know that 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.
I am incredibly grateful to the people of New York’s 21st District for entrusting me to represent you in the United States Congress. Thank you to my dedicated staff over the past decade. I am proud of the significant results that we successfully delivered for the hardworking families in our district and across America. It has been a tremendous professional honor to serve as your Congresswoman over the past eleven years.
Thank you for your support and encouragement as my family and I look forward to the next meaningful personal and professional chapter.
God Bless and Merry Christmas
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. I did not come to this decision lightly for our family.
I am truly humbled and grateful for the historic and…
— Elise Stefanik (@EliseStefanik) December 19, 2025
President Trump responded to her announcement, writing on Truth Social that he’s “with her all the way” on whatever her next endeavor may be.
Elise Stefanik, a fantastic person and Congresswoman from New York State, has just announced she won’t be running for Governor. Elise is a tremendous talent, regardless of what she does. She will have GREAT success, and I am with her all the way!
Per the New York Post:
The decision by Stefanik will spare a likely bruising gubernatorial primary battle with Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman over who’ll be the Republican standard bearer in 2026’s election.
Hochul held solid leads over both Stefanik and Blakeman in a recent poll, despite over half of New Yorkers saying they want a new governor.
Trump had pointedly remained neutral in the emerging primary battle between Stefanik and Blakeman.
“He’s a friend. She’s a friend. These are two great people running. In a way, I hate to see them running against each other. I hope they’re not going to be damaging each other,” he said.
Stefanik had been in the running to be US ambassador to the United Nations, but Trump pulled her nomination to keep her in a Congress with a razor-thin Republican majority.
The post JUST IN: Rep. Elise Stefanik Drops Out of New York Governor Race and Will Not Run for Reelection to Congress – Trump Responds appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.