- Rep. Elise Stefanik unexpectedly suspended her 2026 gubernatorial campaign and will not seek reelection to Congress, citing family and motherhood.
- Sen. Cynthia Lummis announced she will not run for reelection in 2026, blaming the exhausting demands of Senate service.
In a stunning turn of events that has left political observers reeling, two prominent Republican women—Rep. Elise Stefanik of New York and Sen. Cynthia Lummis of Wyoming—announced their departures from elected office on Friday, December 19, 2025.
Their statements, posted on X (formerly Twitter) just minutes apart, have sparked intense speculation about the state of the Republican Party ahead of the 2026 midterms.
Stefanik, a longtime Trump ally and rising star in MAGA circles, delivered the bigger surprise.
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The 41-year-old congresswoman, who had been positioning herself as the frontrunner for New York’s 2026 gubernatorial race, revealed she is suspending her campaign and will not seek reelection to her House seat.
“While spending precious time with my family this Christmas season, I have made the decision to suspend my campaign for Governor and will not seek re-election to Congress,” Stefanik wrote in a lengthy X post.
She emphasized her role as a mother, stating, “While many know me as Congresswoman, my most important title is Mom. I believe that being a parent is life’s greatest gift and greatest responsibility.
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.”
Stefanik’s decision comes just days after a Siena College poll showed her trailing incumbent Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul by 19 points in a hypothetical matchup, despite leading fellow Republican Bruce Blakeman in the GOP primary.
The poll’s release on December 16 appears to have factored heavily into her timing.
President Trump Weighs In
President Trump, who once nominated Stefanik to serve as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations (a nomination he later withdrew to keep her in Congress amid a slim Republican majority), responded warmly on Truth Social.
“Elise is a tremendous talent, regardless of what she does. She will have GREAT success, and I am with her all the way!” Trump wrote.
Stefanik’s career trajectory has been remarkable.
Elected to represent New York’s 21st District in 2014 at age 30, she shifted from moderate roots to become one of Trump’s staunchest defenders during his first impeachment. She rose to House Republican Conference Chair in 2021 after Trump’s endorsement helped oust Liz Cheney.
Her exit adds to a growing list of Republican departures, including Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene’s recent resignation amid tensions with party leadership.
Less than 30 minutes before Stefanik’s announcement, Sen. Cynthia Lummis, 71, revealed she would not seek reelection in 2026 after one term in the Senate.
Lummis, known as the “Crypto Queen” for her advocacy on digital assets, cited the grueling demands of the job.
“Deciding not to run for reelection does represent a change of heart for me, but in the difficult, exhausting session weeks this fall I’ve come to accept that I do not have six more years in me,” Lummis said in her statement.
“I am a devout legislator, but I feel like a sprinter in a marathon. The energy required doesn’t match up.”
Lummis, who previously served in the House from 2009 to 2017, had already secured Trump’s endorsement for reelection earlier this year.
She pledged to use her remaining time productively.
“I am honored to have earned the support of President Trump and to have the opportunity to work side by side with him to fight for the people of Wyoming,” she added.
“I look forward to continuing this partnership and throwing all my energy into bringing important legislation to his desk in 2026 and into retaining commonsense Republican control of the U.S. Senate.”
Unlike Stefanik’s post, Lummis’s announcement did not receive a direct response from Trump.
A Pattern of GOP Leaders Leaving the Administration
These back-to-back exits come amid broader Republican turnover.
In recent weeks, multiple GOP lawmakers have announced retirements or resignations, including Sens. Joni Ernst (Iowa), Mitch McConnell (Kentucky), Thom Tillis (North Carolina), and Tommy Tuberville (Alabama).
House retirements have also accelerated, with some insiders warning of low morale and potential losses in 2026.
The departures highlight the physical and emotional toll of modern politics, particularly in a polarized environment.
For Stefanik, the decision to prioritize family over ambition marks a poignant shift for a figure who had been seen as a potential future leader.
For Lummis, it underscores the marathon nature of Senate service.
What Happens Now?
As the GOP prepares for what could be a challenging midterm cycle, these announcements raise questions about recruitment, party unity, and the appeal of staying in Washington.
With open seats in New York’s 21st District and Wyoming’s Senate race—both reliably Republican—primary battles loom.
Whatever the future holds, Friday’s events serve as a reminder that even in the high-stakes world of politics, personal priorities can still upend the script.
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