Reason Behind Stefanik’s Decision to Leave Congress, End Governor Bid

Republican Rep. Elise Stefanik is ending her campaign for New York governor and will also leave her seat in Congress, setting off a major political shake-up in New York ahead of November’s midterm elections.

The decision marks a stunning turn for one of President Donald Trump’s most loyal allies in Congress and one of the GOP’s most recognizable voices in the House.

According to a GOP source familiar with the matter, Trump’s refusal to endorse Stefanik played a major role in her decision to exit the race.

“The biggest piece of this puzzle was Donald Trump and the fact that he passed three times on endorsing her candidacy,” the source said.

The source said Trump declined to back Stefanik even during a recent Oval Office meeting attended by members of the “Miracle on Ice” team.

Stefanik reportedly believed Trump’s lack of support was the largest factor behind her decision. She entered the race believing she had a strong chance to challenge Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul and give Republicans a serious opportunity in deep-blue New York.

That calculation changed after Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, a Trump ally, jumped into the Republican primary.

Blakeman’s entry made clear that Stefanik would not have a clear path to the nomination. Instead, she faced the possibility of a bruising and expensive primary battle that could drain GOP resources before the general election.

Trump’s neutrality, combined with the prospect of a drawn-out primary, became a decisive factor.

“When you start to add these things up, it does not seem that you’re going to have the wind to your back in this cycle,” the source said.

The source also said Stefanik’s decision to leave Congress was driven by a sense that it was time to move on.

“I am truly humbled and grateful for the historic and overwhelming support from Republicans, Conservatives, Independents, and Democrats all across the state,” Stefanik said.

Stefanik’s departure is significant because she has been one of Trump’s strongest defenders on Capitol Hill. She stood firmly with him during both impeachment proceedings and became a leading voice for the America First wing of the Republican Party.

Her exit now creates another political battle for Republicans in New York, a state where the GOP has made gains in recent cycles but still faces a difficult statewide environment.

The move also comes as House Speaker Mike Johnson is focusing attention on the broader national picture heading into the midterms.

Johnson appeared on Fox & Friends, where he discussed the issues he believes will define the campaign season, including affordability, energy prices, and President Trump’s foreign policy leadership.

Johnson said he is “very confident” President Donald Trump will soon announce a peace deal with Iran.

“This will allow 60 days to get the details done, and the number-one condition has been that Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon,” Johnson said.

“We’ll take care of the nuclear dust. We’ll get the Strait of Hormuz reopened, which will be great for gas prices here and stability around the world,” he continued.

“And that’s why all the regional allies there and all the regional countries are following U.S. leadership under President Trump.”

Co-host Rachel Campos-Duffy then shifted the conversation to domestic politics.

“Let’s talk politics here,” interjected co-host Rachel Campos-Duffy.

“What does this mean for you and the midterms? Because I know this consumes your thoughts a lot,” she said.

Johnson said Republicans have spent the current Congress focused on the economic concerns affecting working families.

“Yeah, it’s a big thing,” Johnson began.

“Obviously we’ve done a lot of work: The Big Beautiful Bill, the working families tax cut — all of the legislation has been geared towards the cost of living, affordability, bringing the cost of living down,” he said.

“We put in all those conditions in the economy to let it take off like a rocket, and we were doing that at the beginning of the first quarter, and then the Iran skirmish began,” said the Speaker.

“So, when this settles down, gas prices come back down to earth, that means your grocery prices come down again because of transport costs and all the rest,” he said.

“It’s going to be a big factor. The kitchen table issues are gonna decide the midterms.”

Campos-Duffy pressed Johnson on whether those economic improvements could arrive soon enough to help Republicans in November.

“Can those things come down in time to help you out in the midterms?” Campos-Duffy then asked.

“Yes, we got plenty of runway, we have better candidates, we have a fundraising advantage,” Johnson said.

“We’re super excited about the midterms. I’m absolutely convinced that we’re gonna grow the majority and get this done and make history,” he added.

Johnson’s remarks highlight the Republican strategy heading into the midterms: tie the GOP majority to lower costs, stronger leadership abroad, energy stability, and the Trump administration’s broader America First agenda.

Stefanik’s exit may complicate the political map in New York, but Republicans are betting that national momentum, better candidates, and voter frustration over affordability will carry them through November.

For Democrats, the challenge is obvious. They must defend their record on the cost of living while also trying to survive in districts where voters remain deeply concerned about inflation, energy prices, public safety, and the direction of the country.

For Republicans, the message is equally clear: the midterms will be fought at the kitchen table.

And Johnson believes the GOP is positioned to win that fight.