After Trump Pulls Her U.N. Ambassador Nomination, Rep. Elise Stefanik Mulls Running For N.Y. Governor

Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY) is considering challenging New York Gov. Kathy Hochul in the 2026 election. A MAGA loyalist, Stefanik was forced to stay in Congress after President Donald Trump withdrew her nomination as United Nations ambassador due to the challenging political environment for Republicans.

Stefanik sponsored a bill in the House to expunge Trump’s second impeachment for Jan. 6.

Hochul is unpopular and considered vulnerable in the deep-blue state.

After Republicans dramatically underperformed in elections in the deep-red state of Florida, Trump said, he “didn’t want to take a chance on anyone else running for Elise’s seat.”

“If we’re far underperforming in seats Trump won by 30, then there’s obvious concern about having to chance special elections in seats Trump won by a lot less,” said one top GOP operative told The Hill.

In an appearance on Fox News last week, Stefanik said, “The withdrawal of my nomination was about stepping up as a team, and I am doing that as a leader. I look forward to continue serving in different ways.”

Democrats had a far different take on Stefanik’s withdrawal.

”You don’t have to take anyone’s word for it, just seeing how Republicans are acting. They were very blasé about opening up the seat and now on a full retreat,” said Zac McCray, who works for Democratic congressional candidate Blake Gendebien.

Democrats have been on a streak of success, winning a special election last week for state Senate in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. However, any chance for Democrats to flip Stefanik’s seat would be uphill in her deep-red district.

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Article by Janae Antrum