Bruce Blakeman, the Nassau County executive who lost New York's gubernatorial race to incumbent Kathy Hochul, took aim at outgoing Rep. Elise Stefanik in a sharp social media post on Thursday, accusing her of abandoning Republican candidates in the state.
"Elise Stefanik is a selfish, do nothing politician that didn't lift a finger to help Republican candidates in New York this year," Blakeman wrote on the social platform X. "She had one moment of glory in what was otherwise an unremarkable career."
The remarks came a day after the New York Post published an interview in which Stefanik dismissed Blakeman as a "low-energy" candidate and described the state's Republican Party as "broken" and in need of a complete overhaul. On Election Day, she told CBS News that the results represented a "Republican reckoning and a Republican reset."
Stefanik had initially launched a bid for governor but dropped out in December, clearing the path for Blakeman to secure the GOP nomination. She said at the time that she wanted to avoid an "unnecessary and protracted Republican primary, especially in a challenging state like New York." She also announced she would not seek reelection to the House.
Once seen as a rising star and one of President Trump's most vocal defenders, Stefanik now prepares to exit public office. Republicans rallied behind Blakeman, but it wasn't enough to overcome Hochul's strong lead. With 93 percent of votes counted, the governor led by nearly 20 points, according to Decision Desk HQ.
The Empire State GOP managed to hold onto several House seats, including Stefanik's 21st District, where Republican Anthony Constantino won. Constantino, a Trump-backed candidate, ran on a platform of cutting government waste, lowering utility costs, securing the northern border, and building the state party.
The feud between Blakeman and Stefanik highlights deeper divisions within New York's Republican establishment, even as the party tries to regroup after another statewide defeat. Blakeman's criticism suggests lingering resentment over Stefanik's early exit and her subsequent commentary, which some see as undermining the party's efforts.
Stefanik's departure mirrors a broader trend of Republican infighting in key states, as seen in Texas, where the GOP governor conceded to a Democrat, and in Minnesota, where a Democrat made history. New York's Republican Party now faces the challenge of rebuilding without Stefanik's star power, a task that may prove difficult given the fractures exposed during this cycle.
