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FIRST ON FOX: Republican Representative. Alice Stefanik Friday night's surprise announcement that she was withdrawing from the New York governor's race and leaving her congressional seat was due in part to a lack of full support from President Trump, Fox News Digital has learned.
“The biggest piece of this puzzle has been Donald Trump and the fact that he has endorsed her three times, including in the Oval Office with the Miracle on Ice team last week,” a GOP source close to the situation told Fox News Digital. “I think [that] played the biggest role in this decision,”
Stefanik's initial thought process when she entered the race last month was that she would have a “clear shot” against current New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, the source said. But one day Trump ally and Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman announced his candidacy earlier this month, “it became clear that this was not going to happen.”
“When you start adding these things up and you see a contested primary, you see a supposed ally in the president who is withholding the endorsement, and I think you won't have the wind at your back this cycle. [it] all this played a role,” the source said.
U.S. President Donald Trump holds hands with Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.) as Trump honors the 1980 U.S. Olympic men's ice hockey team in the Oval Office of the White House on December 13, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Getty)
Stefanik's decision to also leave Congress was based on a feeling that it was time to “move on,” the source said.
“I am truly touched and grateful for the historic and overwhelming support for our campaign to save New York from Republicans, Conservatives, Independents and Democrats across the state,” Stefanik said. published on X Friday, noon.
“However, as we saw in the last election, while we would have won these primaries overwhelmingly, spending the first half of next year on an unnecessary and drawn-out Republican primary, especially in a challenging state like New York, is not an effective use of our time and your generous resources.”
Stefanik was a staunch ally of President Trump during her time in Congress, including defending him during both of his impeachments. Trump nominated Stefanik to be U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, a top Cabinet-level position, before the nomination was withdrawn to protect the GOP's razor-thin House majority and amid concerns that Republicans could lose Stefanik's seat to Democrats in a special election.
FBI IS UNDER HARD NEW MICROSCOPE AS STEFANIK EXERCISES ANNUAL DEFENSE ACT VICTORY
Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., speaks at a House Education and Workforce Committee hearing. (AP/Mariam Zuhaib)
After Blakeman joined the race for governor, Trump chose to remain neutral, telling reporters on White House after Blakeman announced his candidacy, “Eliza is amazing and Bruce is fantastic.”
“Two fantastic people, and I always hate it when two of my very good friends run, and I hope it doesn't cause too much damage,” the president added.
I wanted The campaign released a statement Friday focusing its attention on Blakeman.
“Elise Stefanik has finally accepted reality: If you run against Gov. Kathy Hochul, you will lose,” Hochul’s campaign said in a press release Friday. “As Donald Trump increases costs for New Yorkers and relentlessly targets this state, Governor Hochul cut taxes for the middle class, put money back in New Yorkers' pockets, fought this administration and won when New York came under attack.”
“The fact is that “100% MAGA” Bruce Blakeman came all the way to Washington to celebrate Trump's tariffs, he destroyed a Long Island safety net hospital by appointing corrupt cronies to run it, and he allowed violent crime in Nassau County to rise to its highest level in a decade.
A source confirmed to Fox News Digital that “several district leaders are reaching out to Congressman Mike Lawler” as a potential candidate, adding that it is “premature” to suggest the New York GOP is “unifying behind Blakeman.”
“Very agile. A lot of people need time to regroup.”
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Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman celebrates his re-election at the Nassau Republican Party headquarters on election night at the Coral House in Baldwin, November 4, 2025. (Steve Pfost/Newsday RM via Getty Images)
The source said Blakeman “could be a strong candidate” and that the “Mamdani effect” is something Khochul will still have to contend with in the general election.
“I wish Congresswoman Stefanik nothing but success as she pursues her priorities and continues to serve our country,” Blakeman. published on X Friday. “At this critical moment for New York, it is critical that Republicans and all New Yorkers come together.”
Lawler responded to the news in a post on X, saying Stefanik “was an amazing congresswoman” and “would have been a great governor.”
“As her friend and colleague, I respect her decision and wish her and her family the best as she moves forward.”
The White House directed Fox News Digital to the reaction of the president and his press secretary Caroline Leavitt on social media.
In a Truth Social post on Friday, Trump responded to Stefanik's announcement by writing, “Elisa Stefanik, a fantastic person and New York Congresswoman, just announced she will not run for Governor. Elisa is a huge talent no matter what she does. She's going to be a HUGE success and I'm with her all the way!”
Leavitt also praised Stefanik on social media.
“Elise Stefanik has been an incredible advocate for the people of her upstate New York district, and she will always be a true friend to President Trump,” Leavitt. published on X. “On a personal note, Eliza is my former boss. She is a great leader and an even better person. We love you @EliseStefanik!”
Fox News Digital's Louis Casiano contributed to this report.
