Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY) on Friday suspended her New York gubernatorial campaign and announced her retirement from Congress.
The announcement sent shockwaves through Washington, D.C., taking most by complete surprise. In a lengthy post on X, Stefanik cited family commitments, saying that she wanted to prioritize her duty as a mother.
“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 wrote.
“And 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,” the congresswoman explained.
Stefanik went more in-depth with the Intelligencer, instead citing her own political calculus.
“My gut tells me this is not the right political time,” she told the outlet. “This is not the right sort of array of things lining up — which is so difficult in New York, which is just incredibly difficult in a picture-perfect year — let alone with a primary and everything else.”
With the Trump-endorsed Stefanik out of the race, the top Republican contender is now Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman. New York Republican Party Chairman Ed Cox quickly endorsed Blakeman, urging the state’s other Republicans to follow his lead.
“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,” he said.
Stefanik’s detractors were quick to gleefully welcome the news, with Kathy Hochul’s reelection campaign spokesman Ryan Radulovacki painting it as an admission of hopelessness.
“Elise Stefanik has finally acknowledged reality: If you run against Governor Kathy Hochul, you are going to lose,” he told the Washington Examiner. “As Donald Trump raises costs on New Yorkers and targets this state relentlessly, Governor Hochul has cut middle-class taxes, put money back in New Yorkers’ pockets, and fought this administration and won when New York has come under attack.”
He then quickly moved on to attack “100% MAGA” Blakeman, attempting to closely link him to President Donald Trump.
Stefanik’s sudden announcement wasn’t preceded by any hints, leading to intense speculation. New York strategist Lawrence Levy speculated that she may have been asked to drop out by Trump himself.
“Aside from some scandal about to explode, it’s hard to imagine her dropping out without a hard nudge from President Trump,” he told the Washington Examiner.
Republican strategist Susan Del Percio believes Stefanik’s decision came after troubling polling numbers came out, and fear over the prospect of a damaging primary.
“I would say it comes down to two things,” she said of Stefanik’s decision. “One is there was some polling that came out, public polling that came out this week. And basically, while she was very much ahead, Stefanik was leading Bruce Blakeman, that was fine, but Hochul was doing better than expected. So my guess is, after also some internal numbers, it probably didn’t look like she could win. I’m speculating because, I always say a campaign is like marriage: you never know what’s going on unless you’re in it.”
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“But the other thing is I think she just didn’t want to have a primary. … She thought she’d have a clear field. To go through a bruising primary. It doesn’t make sense for her,” Del Percio added. “Here’s what would have to happen to win the primary: they would have to out-Trump each other. Once they do that, then they no longer are necessarily viable as a statewide candidate.”
She also speculated that Stefanik could change course about retiring from Congress, however, noting how she changed her position on running for governor in the past.
Rachel Schilke contributed to this report.
