Friday, December 19, 2025 – New York City – BREAKING NEWS
Rep. Elise Stefanik, the Republican congresswoman and former House GOP Conference Chair from upstate New York, announced on Friday that she is suspending her campaign for New York governor and will not seek re-election to the U.S. House of Representatives.

In a post on X, Stefanik said that entering a protracted Republican primary in a politically challenging state like New York would not be “an effective use” of her time or campaign resources. Her decision ends a high-profile bid to challenge incumbent Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul.

Stefanik – a close ally of former President Donald Trump, had anticipated facing Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman in what many expected would be a fierce GOP primary. However, internal party dynamics and strategic calculations appear to have influenced her choice to withdraw.

State Republican Chairman Ed Cox issued a statement praising Stefanik’s decision and announcing his endorsement of Blakeman as the party’s preferred candidate moving forward.
Stefanik’s announcement comes during the holiday season, a time when many campaigns traditionally reassess their plans for the coming year. Her choice also avoids what was expected to be a costly and divisive primary fight.
The congresswoman has served in the House since 2015 and rose to national prominence through her leadership roles in GOP politics, especially during the Trump era. She was previously nominated by Trump to serve as U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations — a nomination that was later withdrawn due to broader political strategy considerations.

Stefanik’s future plans have not been fully detailed, but her announcement makes clear that she will complete her current term in Congress before departing public office unless she pursues another role outside elective politics.
This is a developing story!