Trump’s Endorsement Denial Ends Elise Stefanik’s Campaign Bid

A source close to Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., said that President Donald Trump’s steadfast refusal to endorse her bid for governor of New York was the key factor in her decision Friday to end her campaign.

“Just as Peter denied Jesus Christ three times, so did Trump deny Elise an endorsement three times,” the anonymous source stated. “The latest case occurred last week in the Oval Office, while he was flanked by the ‘Miracle on Ice’ Olympic team.”

The same source noted that it was this final refusal that served as the “last straw” for the six-term congresswoman.

Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, also considered a friend of Trump’s, decided last week to seek the Republican gubernatorial nomination and thereby denied Stefanik an uncontested path to the GOP blessing.

“I have always felt Blakeman would be stronger in the general election anyway,” historian David Pietrusza, who knows all things New York, said. “He’s pro-choice, more gay-friendly and a downstater, and — like Lee Zeldin — Jewish.”

Pietrusza also noted that among his fellow upstate Republicans, “enthusiasm was running very high for Stefanik around these parts.”

“My wife went to the Schenectady County Republican dinner about a week ago,” he added. “It was packed to hear Stefanik and just absolutely wild about her.”

At 41, Stefanik had long expressed her desire to leave Congress.

Earlier this year, Trump nominated her for U.N. ambassador but withdrew his nomination when it appeared that, in a House where Republicans hold a three-seat majority, the vacancy left by her exit might endanger parts of the president’s agenda.

In abandoning her gubernatorial bid, Stefanik also restated her intention not to seek reelection in the upstate 21st District.