Trump Endorses New GOP Candidate for NY Governor After Stefanik Exits Race

President Donald Trump on Dec. 20 threw his endorsement behind the new Republican candidate in the New York governor’s race after the withdrawal of ally Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.).

“Bruce is MAGA all the way, and has been with me from the very beginning,” Trump said in a post announcing the endorsement on his Truth Social platform.

The new candidate, Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, announced his gubernatorial bid on Dec. 9, drawing criticism from existing GOP candidate Stefanik, who launched her campaign on Nov. 7. Trump had not endorsed Stefanik for governor.

“Elise has led the most effective attacks on the Worst Governor in America Kathy Hochul as Bruce Blakeman has worked overtime to torpedo fellow Republicans,” Stefanik campaign spokesperson Bernadette Breslin said in a statement at the time.

On Dec. 19, Stefanik announced that she was withdrawing from the race and retiring from Congress at the end of her term.

She said it would be a waste of GOP resources for two candidates to compete in a New York primary.

“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,” Stefanik said in a post on X.

Democrats have been elected to the New York governor’s office since 2006 and currently have large majorities in both houses of the state legislature.

Stefanik also listed her role as the mother of a 4-year-old son as one of the factors behind her decision to step away from politics altogether.

“I know that as a mother, I will feel profound regret if I don’t further focus on my young son’s safety, growth, and happiness—particularly at his tender age,” she said while thanking her constituents.

“It has been a tremendous professional honor to serve as your Congresswoman over the past eleven years. Thank you for your support and encouragement as my family and I look forward to the next meaningful personal and professional chapter. God Bless and Merry Christmas.”

Trump’s endorsement of Blakeman may or may not help the candidate ward off further competitors in the GOP primary, which will define the race in November 2026.

The Democratic primary currently has two candidates: incumbent Gov. Kathy Hochul and her lieutenant governor, Antonio Delgado.

Delgado was appointed by Hochul in 2022 but broke with her politically earlier this year when he called for New York City Mayor Eric Adams to resign. Earlier, he had urged then-President Joe Biden to step aside in the presidential race, throwing his support behind then-Vice President Kamala Harris, who ultimately lost to Trump. Hochul is currently leading most opinion polls.

On Dec. 15, amid reports that Blakeman would jump into the race, Trump declined to endorse one candidate over the other in the primary.

“He’s great, and she’s great. They’re both great people,” Trump said of both Blakeman and Stefanik.

Upon hearing of Stefanik’s withdrawal, Trump said in a post: “Elise is a tremendous talent, regardless of what she does. She will have great success, and I am with her all the way!”

New York Republican Committee Chair Ed Cox said in a statement on Dec. 19 that he was endorsing Blakeman for governor after Stefanik withdrew.

“Elise Stefanik will remain a leader in our party and a powerful voice for our principles. We respect her decision and thank her for her efforts,” he said.

Upon his election, Trump nominated Stefanik to serve as his ambassador to the United Nations. But he withdrew the plan over concerns from House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) that a special election in her seat risked eroding the GOP’s narrow majority in the House.

Blakeman responded to Stefanik’s withdrawal on X, saying: “I am the only Republican running for New York Governor against failed radical liberal Kathy Hochul. Donate to my campaign to fight crime, cut taxes, put New York First, and defeat Kathy Hochul.”

Hochul’s campaign responded to Trump’s endorsement by warning that Blakeman is, as Trump put it, “MAGA all the way.”

“Donald Trump endorsed Bruce Blakeman for one reason: he’ll put Trump first, New York last, and leave families to foot the bill,” campaign spokesperson Sarafina Chitika said in a statement.

Blakeman has gained attention for championing a policy that bans male transgender-identifying athletes from using county-run sports facilities dedicated to women.

He has also thrown his support and more resources behind Nassau County’s primary volunteer law enforcement unit, the Nassau County Auxiliary Police, which was established in 1950 to support the Nassau County Police Department (NCPD). The volunteers, certified as Peace Officers after 150 hours of training at the NCPD Academy, conduct routine patrols, traffic control, and security at events such as parades, marathons, and fairs without carrying firearms.

Blakeman has been criticized by Democrats for directing county detectives to work alongside federal authorities in Trump’s enforcement efforts against illegal immigration.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.