Stefanik exits NY governor race as Trump's endorsement never materialized

Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., on Friday night announced she is dropping out of the race for New York governor and will not seek re-election to Congress, saying it is not an efficient use of time or resources to spend the first half of next year in a protracted Republican primary in a challenging state.

A GOP source close to the situation told Fox News Digital that the biggest piece of the puzzle in Stefanik’s decision was President Donald Trump’s hesitation to endorse her candidacy, including in the Oval Office with the Miracle on Ice team last week. The source described the lack of a clear endorsement as a major headwind in a race Stefanik had hoped would yield a relatively smoother path to the GOP nomination against Gov. Kathy Hochul. Stefanik originally believed she would have a clear shot at Hochul, but once Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman entered the race earlier this month, the landscape shifted toward a more contested primary.

"When you start to add these things up, and you see a contested primary, you see an assumed ally in the president who passes on endorsing, and it does not seem that you’re going to have the wind to your back in this cycle. I think [that] all played into this," the source said.

Stefanik’s announcement also included a note about her future. In a post on X, she wrote: "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." The decision marks a shift away from public life for Stefanik, who had been a staunch ally of President Trump during her time in Congress, including defending him during both impeachments and accepting a nomination to serve as U.N. ambassador before that nomination was pulled amid concerns about the GOP’s narrow House majority.

Trump’s posture toward the New York governor’s race evolved after Blakeman announced his candidacy. According to the same GOP source, Trump opted to stay neutral, telling reporters at the White House that "Elise is fantastic and Bruce is"—a line the source described as reflective of two friends competing for the same job. "Two fantastic people, and I always hate it when two very good friends of mine are running, and I hope there’s not a lot of damage done," the president added. Hochul’s campaign quickly framed Stefanik’s exit as evidence that Republicans in New York face an uphill battle against Hochul’s incumbency and the broader political environment, noting that Trump has raised costs on New Yorkers and pushed a nationwide agenda Hochul has opposed.

The White House directed Fox News Digital to comments published on social media, including a Truth Social post from Trump praising Stefanik’s decision and a post from Karoline Leavitt, the White House communications director, who lauded Stefanik as a longtime ally and leader. Leavitt also posted that Stefanik would "always be a true friend" to Trump. In addition, Fox News Digital’s reporting emphasized the ongoing chatter among Republicans about reshaping the field as lawmakers weigh potential runs, including Congressman Mike Lawler, though a source cautioned that any changes were "premature" and that the race remained fluid with county leaders assessing options.

Hochul’s team issued a statement Friday asserting that Stefanik’s decision confirms what Hochul’s campaign has argued for months: that a Stefanik bid would have faced significant political headwinds and that the governor remains focused on delivering results for New Yorkers. The Hochul campaign highlighted tax relief, public safety initiatives, and investment in infrastructure as themes she says Hochul has pursued successfully while noting the national political climate under Trump’s leadership.

Stefanik has been a prominent Trump ally in Congress, and her name has floated in discussions about a broader GOP revival in New York. The political calculus in the state remains unsettled, with sources indicating that several county-level leaders are reaching out to potential candidates such as Lawler as they assess the party’s path forward. A source described the mood among Republicans as "very fluid" as they regroup and consider the best vehicle to challenge Hochul in a general election.

The timing of Stefanik’s departure from Congress and the gubernatorial race has added new twists to a year already defined by upheaval within New York Republican circles. The party’s ability to coalesce behind a candidate after a high-profile exit will depend in part on how the field evolves in the weeks ahead, including whether Blakeman, Lawler, or another figure consolidates support and whether Trump eventually makes an endorsement decision that could sway primary dynamics.

Blakeman has responded publicly, noting that he wishes Stefanik well as she pursues her priorities and urging Republicans to unite at a pivotal moment for New York. He has argued that his own candidacy would bring a different approach to issues such as public safety and fiscal policy in the state. While some Republicans see Blakeman as a credible contender, others say the party is still weighing its options and that a decision could come only after further consolidation and reorganization at the county level.

In the domestic arena, Stefanik’s exit also draws attention to how contractions in the GOP’s bench at the national level intersect with state-level contests. Stefanik’s earlier role as a rising star in the party and her proximity to Trump during a period of intense political polarization have left supporters and critics weighing the long-term implications of her decision to leave public life now. Analysts say the NY gubernatorial race will test the strength of Trump-era governing coalitions both within New York and across the national party.

The broader political narrative in New York remains unsettled, with Hochul’s camp signaling readiness to confront Blakeman or any other challenger and Republicans recalibrating their strategies in a state that has repeatedly defied national political trends. As the campaign season moves forward, observers will watch to see whether a front-runner emerges, whether Trump signals support or opposition to potential contenders, and how Stefanik’s exit shapes fundraising, endorsements, and voter outreach as New Yorkers prepare to head to the polls.