Stefanik Drops NY Governor Bid

GOP Rep. Elise Stefanik unexpectedly dropped her bid to become New York’s next governor Friday — and also said she would not be seeking re-election for Congress.

The high-profile Republican congresswoman said she wanted to avoid a potentially bruising and costly gubernatorial primary, clearing the way for Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman to become front-runner for the party’s nomination.

The jarring move shocked Stefanik’s allies, as the North Country rep had already held the endorsement of almost every one of the 62 county committee chairs and publicly attacked Blakeman immediately after he formally entered the race last week.

“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,” Stefanik posted on X Friday afternoon.

“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.”

Stefanik also cited a desire to spend time focusing on her family including her young son, as she thanked her constituents in the 21st Congressional District, which she has served since 2015.

“While many know me as Congresswoman, my most important title is Mom. I believe that being a parent is life’s greatest gift and greatest responsibility. I have thought deeply about this and I know that as a mother, I will feel profound regret if I don’t further focus on my young son’s safety, growth, and happiness – particularly at his tender age,” she wrote.

Rumors swirled among Empire State Republican circles earlier Friday that the staunch ally of President Trump would ultimately not challenge Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul’s re-election bid.

Fellow Trump ally Blakeman, who’ll likely be the Republican standard bearer in 2026’s election, issued a statement to The Post thanking Stefanik for her service and touting the importance of party unity.

“I want to thank Congresswoman Elise Stefanik for her outstanding service to the people of New York and to all Americans. Throughout her time in public office, Congresswoman Stefanik has been a strong voice for common-sense values, national security, and economic opportunity, and her leadership has earned the respect of people across our state and our country,” Blakeman said.

“At this pivotal moment for New York, it is essential that Republicans and all New Yorkers come together in unity. I am ready to work hand-in-hand with the Congresswoman and all New Yorkers to restore accountability, affordability, and safety to state government,” he said.

Blakeman traveled to the White House as recently as Tuesday for a Hanukkah celebration, he posted on social media.

New York Republican Party leadership, which had until previously shown near unanimous support for Stefanik publicly, was quick to get behind Blakeman.

“Elise Stefanik will remain a leader in our party and a powerful voice for our principles. We respect her decision and thank her for her efforts,” State GOP Chairman Ed Cox, who had previously vocally endorsed Stefanik, wrote in a statement.

“Bruce Blakeman has my endorsement and I urge our State Committee and party leaders to join me. Bruce is a fighter who has proven he knows how to win in difficult political terrain. As County Executive, he cut taxes, fought against radical leftwing social policies and made Nassau County the safest county in America,” Cox said.

New York’s Conservative Party Chairman Jerry Kassar said there’s strong support for Blakeman amongst conservatives and he plans to speak with party leaders about endorsing him moving forward.

“We are disappointed that Congresswoman Elise Stefanik won’t be running for governor this year, but we respect her decision and wish her the best in all her future endeavors. Elise is an asset to our state and nation. I have no doubt we’ll see her shine in future roles,” Kassar wrote in statement to The Post.

GOP insiders said party leadership in the last week had became increasingly desperate to avoid a primary battle.

Despite having their support, ultimately “She couldn’t close the barn door on Blakeman,” one source said of Stefanik.

“They are concerned about a contested primary. They were hoping Blakeman didn’t enter,” another source said, adding there was concern that an intra-party fight would dry up precious resources to combat Hochul’s well-funded operation.

Hochul held solid leads over both Stefanik and Blakeman in a recent poll, despite over half of New Yorkers saying they want a new governor.

Trump had pointedly remained neutral in the emerging primary battle between Stefanik and Blakeman.

“He’s a friend. She’s a friend. 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,” he said last week.

Stefanik had been in the running to be US ambassador to the United Nations, but Trump pulled her nomination to keep her in a Congress with a razor-thin Republican majority.

“Elise Stefanik, a fantastic person and Congresswoman from New York State, has just announced she won’t be running for Governor,” Trump posted to TruthSocial Friday evening.

“Elise is a tremendous talent, regardless of what she does. She will have GREAT success, and I am with her all the way!”

Hochul was quick to try and spin Stefanik’s withdrawal as a victory — while taking a hit at Blakeman.

“Elise Stefanik has finally acknowledged reality: If you run against Governor Kathy Hochul, you are going to lose,” Hochul spokesperson Ryan Radulovacki wrote in a statement.

“‘100% MAGA’ Bruce Blakeman traveled all the way to D.C. to celebrate Trump’s expensive tariffs, he ran Long Island’s safety net hospital into the ground by appointing corrupt cronies to run it, and let violent crime in Nassau County spike to its highest level in a decade,” Hochul’s camp continued.

Stefanik is expected to finish out her term in the House of Representatives, which ends in 2027.