Elise Stefanik is dropping out of the NY governor’s race because of Trump’s lack of support
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FIRST ON FOX: Republican Rep. Elise Stefanik’s surprise announcement Friday night that she is dropping out of the New York governor’s race and vacating her seat in Congress is partly due to a lack of full support from President Trump, Fox News Digital has learned.
“A big part of this puzzle was Donald Trump and the fact that he had three successful endorsements of his position, including the Oval Office and the Miracle on Ice Team last week,” a GOP source close to the situation told Fox News Digital. “I think [that] played a big role in this decision,”
Stefanik’s original thought when he jumped into the race last month, according to a source, was that he would get a “clear shot” at current New York Gov. Kathy Hochul. But he was once a Trump ally and Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman he announced that he will run for election earlier this month, “it was clear it wasn’t going to happen.”
“When you start putting these things together, and you see the primary school, you see someone who thinks he’s a running mate to the president who’s successful in lifting the reins, and it doesn’t look like he’s going to have the wind at his back in this cycle, I think. [it] they are all involved in this,” said the source.
STEFANIK QUIT NY GOVERNOR’S RACE, WILL NOT RUN FOR RE-ELECT IN US HOUSE
US President Donald Trump shook hands with Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY) as Trump honors the 1980 US men’s ice hockey team in the Oval Office of the White House on December 13, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Getty)
Stefanik’s decision to leave Congress was based on a feeling that it was time to “move on,” the source said.
“I am truly humbled and grateful for the historic and overwhelming support from Republicans, Conservatives, Independents, and Democrats across the country for our campaign to Save New York,” Stefanik posted on X Friday afternoon.
“However, as we saw in the last election, even though we were going to win this primary by a landslide, it is not a good use of our time or your generous resources to spend the first half of next year on an unnecessary and protracted primary election, especially in a state as challenging as New York.”
Stefanik has been a staunch ally of President Trump during his time in Congress, including defending him in both of his impeachment trials. Trump nominated Stefanik to serve as US ambassador to the United Nations, a senior Cabinet-level position, before the nomination was withdrawn to protect the GOP’s slim majority in the House and amid concerns Republicans may lose Stefanik’s seat to Democrats in a special election.
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Rep. Elise Stefanik, RN.Y., speaks to the House Committee on Education and Labor. (AP/Mariam Zuhaib)
After Blakeman joined the race for governor, Trump opted to stay neutral, telling reporters at the White House after Blakeman announced his candidacy that “Elise is great and Bruce is.”
“Two very nice people, and I always hate it when two of my best friends run, and I hope that not too much damage is done,” the president said.
Hochul’s re-election campaign released a statement Friday targeting Blakeman.
“Elise Stefanik finally admitted that the truth is out there: If you run against Governor Kathy Hochul, you’re going to lose,” Hochul’s campaign said in a press release Friday. “As Donald Trump raises costs for New Yorkers and targets this state relentlessly, Governor Hochul has cut taxes for the middle class, put money back in the pockets of New Yorkers, and fought this administration and won when New York was attacked.”
“The truth is, ‘100% MAGA’ Bruce Blakeman traveled all the way to DC to celebrate Trump’s values, ran a Long Island security hospital into the ground by appointing corrupt neighbors to run it, and allowed violent crime in Nassau County to spike to its highest level in a decade. Onward.”
A source confirmed to Fox News Digital that “multiple state leaders are reaching out to Congressman Mike Lawler” as a potential candidate, adding that it’s “premature” to think the New York GOP is “convinced about Blakeman.”
“It’s very wet. A lot of people take time to regroup.”
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Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman celebrates re-election at the Nassau Republican GOP headquarters on election night at the Coral House in Baldwin, Nov. 4, 2025. (Steve Pfost/Newsday RM via Getty Images)
The source said Blakeman “could be a strong candidate” and that the “Mamdani effect” is something Hochul still has to contend with in the general election.
“I wish Congressman Stefanik nothing but success as he pursues his priorities and continues his work for our nation,” Blakeman said on X Friday. “At this critical time in New York, it is imperative that Republicans and all New Yorkers come together in unity.”
Lawler responded to the news in a post on X saying Stefanik has been a “terrible Congresswoman” and “a great governor.”
“As his friend and colleague, I respect his decision and wish him and his family all the best as he moves forward.
The White House directed Fox News Digital to respond to communications from the president and his press secretary, Caroline Leavitt.
In a Truth Social post on Friday, Trump responded to Stefanik’s announcement, writing, “Elise Stefanik, an amazing person and Congresswoman from New York State, just announced that she will not run for Governor. Elise is an amazing talent, no matter what she does. She will be a HUGE success, and I’m with her all the way!”
Leavitt also posted Stefanik’s praise on social media.
“Elise Stefanik has been an incredible advocate for the people of her constituency in Upstate New York, and she will always be a true friend of President Trump,” Leavitt wrote in X. “Personally, Elise is my former boss. She is a great leader, and an even better person. We love you, @EliseStefanik!”
Fox News Digital’s Louis Casiano contributed to this report
