Stefanik ends N.Y. governor bid, won't seek reelection

Republican was first viewed as a moderate, but would evolve into a staunch Trump ally.

- ANTHONY IZAGUIRRE

REP. Elise Stefanik shakes President Trump's hand last week in the Oval Office.

Rep. Elise Stefanik announced Friday that she is suspending her campaign for New York governor and will not seek reelection to Congress, bowing out of the race in a surprise statement that said "it is not an effective use of our time" to stay in what was expected to be a bruising Republican primary.

Stefanik, a Republican ally of President Trump, said in a post on X that she was confident of her chances in the primary against Bruce Blakeman, a Republican county official in New York City's suburbs. But she said she wanted to spend more time with her young son and family.

"I have thought deeply about this and 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.