Republican ep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY) abruptly withdrew from New York’s 2026 gubernatorial race on Friday, ending what had been shaping up to be the state GOP’s highest-profile challenge to Democrat Gov. Kathy Hochul.
In addition, Stefank also revealed she will be retiring from Congress and will not run for re-election next year.
Stefanik announced her decision in a statement on X.
She said the Christmas season had prompted a reassessment of her political plans.
In a post on X, she 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.”
She said she remained confident she would have prevailed in a primary but argued the contest itself would drain resources and serve no strategic purpose.
“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.”
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
The announcement came after days of speculation in GOP circles that Stefanik, a close ally of President Donald Trump, was rethinking her plan to launch a run against Hochul.
Hochul is seeking another term in 2026.
Her exit effectively clears the field for Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman.
Stefanik dropping out will spare Republicans what could have been an expensive and divisive primary over who would lead the ticket next year.
Polling has shown Hochul maintaining consistent leads over both Stefanik and Blakeman, despite more than half of New Yorkers telling surveyors they want a new governor.
Trump had notably declined to take sides as the GOP field began to form.
“He’s a friend. She’s a friend,” Trump said earlier.
“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.”
Stefanik, considered one of the party’s rising figures, was previously selected by Trump to serve as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations.
The nomination was later pulled as House Republicans navigated a narrow majority and sought to keep her in Congress.
Her withdrawal now reshapes the GOP landscape heading into a high-stakes 2026 cycle in one of the nation’s most challenging states for Republicans.
READ MORE – Gavin Newsom Boasts About Giving Taxpayer-Funded ‘Free’ Healthcare to Illegal Aliens
Our comment section is restricted to members of the Slay News community only.
To join, create a free account HERE.
If you are already a member, log in HERE.