Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.) announced on Friday that she is dropping out of the New York gubernatorial race and will not seek re-election in the House in the 2026 midterms.

The six-term congresswoman from the mostly rural, upstate 21st District cited her obligations to her family and the challenge of running a primary campaign in her decision to withdraw from electoral politics.

“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 stated. “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.”