Congresswoman Elise Stefanik, who announced last month she would challenge incumbent Kathy Hochul in the race for Governor in 2026, has announced she is suspending that campaign, and will also not seek re-election for her current seat next year.
The Upstate New York Republican and ally of President Donald Trump, announced her decision on her X account, stating: “I did not come to this decision lightly for our family. I am truly humbled and grateful for the historic and overwhelming support from Republicans, Conservatives, Independents, and Democrats all across the state for our campaign to Save New York.
“However, as we have seen in past elections, 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.”
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.
— Elise Stefanik (@EliseStefanik) December 19, 2025
I am truly humbled and grateful for the historic and…
Stefanik announced her candidacy for Hochul’s office November 7 but was since challenged by fellow Republican and Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman in what was anticipated to be a bitter primary.
New York State Republican Chairman Ed Cox thanked Stefanik for her efforts and stated the party respects her decision to drop out. He then called on fellow Republicans to back Blakeman in next November’s election.
"Bruce Blakeman has my endorsement and I urge our State Committee and party leaders to join me," he said in a prepared statement. "Bruce is a fighter who has proven he knows how to win in difficult political terrain."
Not long after Stefanik announced her candidacy, a bitter and often ugly tone was already set in online exchanges between her campaign and that of Hochul, a Buffalo area Democrat.
Hochul’s campaign offered one more jab upon acknowledging Stefanik’s decision.
“Elise Stefanik has finally acknowledged reality: If you run against Governor Kathy Hochul, you are going to lose,” said Hochul campaign spokesperson Ryan Radulovacki in a prepared statement. “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.
“The fact is, ‘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. Governor Hochul’s message to him or whichever lackey Trump picks to run against her is simple: Bring it on.”
Hochul faces her own primary challenge from Lieutenant Governor Antonio Delgado.
