Stefanik ends bid for New York governor, says she won't seek reelection

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Republican Rep. Elise Stefanik said Friday she is suspending her run for governor of New York and volition not question reelection to Congress.

In a statement, Stefanik — who had conscionable entered the contention astir 7 weeks agone — said successful a societal media post that "while we would person overwhelmingly won this primary, it is not an effectual usage of our clip oregon your generous resources to walk the archetypal fractional of adjacent twelvemonth successful an unnecessary and protracted Republican primary, particularly successful a challenging authorities similar New York."

Stefanik besides indicated that the determination was made with her household successful mind.

"While galore cognize maine arsenic Congresswoman, my astir important rubric is Mom," she added. "I judge that being a genitor is life's top acquisition and top responsibility. I person thought profoundly astir this and I cognize that arsenic a mother, I volition consciousness profound regret if I don't further absorption connected my young son's safety, growth, and happiness - peculiarly astatine his tender age."

Stefanik has been a predominant professional of Democratic New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, who volition beryllium moving for reelection.

Ryan Radulovacki, a spokesperson for Hochul, told CBS News New York successful a connection that Stefanik had "finally acknowledged reality: If you tally against Governor Kathy Hochul, you are going to lose."

Hochul had antecedently called Stefanik President Trump's "number 1 cheerleader successful Congress and his right-hand pistillate successful his warfare connected New York."

State GOP seat pivots to Bruce Blakeman

The bombshell announcement comes little than 2 weeks aft chap Republican and Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman said helium intended to challenge Stefanik successful the upcoming gubernatorial primary.

At the time, a spokesperson for Stefanik blasted Blakeman for entering the race.

"Bruce Blakeman is an aboriginal Christmas contiguous to Kathy Hochul arsenic helium works to stroke Republicans' champion accidental to win," the spokesperson said.

Now, the authorities Republican enactment seat is pivoting to enactment Blakeman's bid.

"Elise Stefanik volition stay a person successful our enactment and a almighty dependable for our principles. We respect her determination and convey her for her efforts," New York GOP seat Ed Cox said successful a statement. "Bruce Blakeman has my endorsement and I impulse our State Committee and enactment leaders to articulation me."

"I americium the lone Republican moving for New York Governor against failed extremist wide Kathy Hochul," Blakeman posted Friday connected societal media.

Stefanik had initially launched her run for politician successful aboriginal November with an service of support, including 34 Assemblymember endorsements, 12 authorities senators, and erstwhile Gov. George Pataki.

Stefanik receives connection of enactment from Trump

Mr. Trump expressed his enactment for Stefanik aft her announcement, writing connected Truth Social that she is "a fantastic person."

"Elise is simply a tremendous talent, careless of what she does," Mr. Trump wrote. "She volition person GREAT success, and I americium with her each the way!"

In 2014, Stefanik became the youngest pistillate elected to Congress at the property of 30. She represents New York's 21st Congressional District upstate and has been reelected 5 times.

In November 2024, Mr. Trump nominated Stefanik to service arsenic U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, but withdrew her information 2 months later, saying helium wanted her to stay successful Congress.

"Elise Stefanik has been an unthinkable advocator for the radical of her territory successful Upstate New York, and she volition ever beryllium a existent person to President Trump," White House property caput Karoline Leavitt also wrote connected societal media. "On a idiosyncratic note, Elise is my erstwhile boss. She is simply a large leader, and an adjacent amended person. We emotion you."

Outgoing Rep. Majorie Taylor-Greene besides issued a connection of support.

"You are making the astir fantastic decision. Mom is the champion occupation rubric determination is! Way to spell Elise!", Taylor-Greene posted.