Republican Rep. Elise Stefanik, one of President Donald Trump’s top allies, announced Friday afternoon that she was suspending her campaign for governor of New York and would also not run for reelection to the U.S. House of Representatives, just months after she launched a bid to try to flip the governorship currently held by Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul.
“I am truly humbled and grateful for the historic and overwhelming support from Republicans, conservatives, independents and Democrats across the state for our campaign to save New York,” Stefanik wrote in a post on X.
House Republican Leadership Chairwoman Elise Stefanik joins state Republican lawmakers during a press conference speaking in opposition to Governor Kathy Hochul on June 9, 2025, at the Capitol in Albany, New York.
Will Waldron/Albany Times Union via Getty Images)
“However, as we have seen in past elections, while we would have won this primary overwhelmingly, it is not an effective use of our time or your generous resources to spend the first half of next year on an unnecessary and protracted Republican primary, especially in a challenging state like New York.”
He also cited his desire to spend more time with his son.
Since launching her bid for governor in November, Stefanik had the solid support of many of New York County’s local Republican parties, but she faced a primary opponent, Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, who announced his own candidacy.
Trump, whom Stefanik has supported, had refused to endorse either candidate so far, calling both Stefanik and Blakeman “fantastic.”
“First of all, he’s a friend. She’s a friend. These are two great people running in a way that I hate to see them, competing against each other,” Trump said 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 U.S. Olympic ice hockey team in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, Dec. 12, 2025.
Francis Chung/EPA/Shutterstock
Stefanik was first elected to represent New York in the House in 2014 and at the time was the youngest woman to win a seat in Congress. She became a rising star in the Republican Party and joined House leadership in 2021 as chair of the House Republican Conference.
Trump tapped her to be his U.S. ambassador to the United Nations shortly after his election victory in November 2024, praising her in a statement to ABC News as “an incredibly strong, tough and smart America First fighter.”
But months later, Trump said he was asking her to withdraw his nomination, citing razor-thin margins in the Republican-controlled House. Stefanik said she was “proud to work as a team” and stepped aside.
Trump and White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt reacted to Stefanik’s announcement.
“Elise is a tremendous talent, no matter what she does. She will be a HUGE success and I will be with her every step of the way!” Trump posted on his social networks platform Friday.
Leavitt, who served as Stefanik’s communications director following Trump’s 2020 election loss, called Stefanik an “incredible advocate” and a “true friend of President Trump.”
“Elise Stefanik has been an incredible advocate for the people of her district in upstate New York, and will always be a true friend to President Trump. On a personal note, Elise is my former boss. She is a great leader and an even better person. We love you. @EliseStefanik!” Leavitt posted on unknown.
ABC News’ Lalee Ibssa contributed to this report.
