Reason Behind Stefanik’s Decision to Leave Congress, End Governor Bid
Republican Rep. Elise Stefanik ended her campaign for New York governor and will also leave her seat in Congress—setting up a key battle in New York in November’s midterms.
The decision was influenced in part by President Donald Trump’s refusal to endorse her candidacy, according to a GOP source familiar with the matter.
“The biggest piece of this puzzle was Donald Trump and the fact that he passed three times on endorsing her candidacy,” the source said.
The source said Trump declined to endorse Stefanik even during a recent Oval Office meeting attended by members of the “Miracle on Ice” team.
The source said Stefanik believed Trump’s lack of support played the largest role in her decision.
According to the source, Stefanik entered the race thinking she had a strong chance to challenge Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul.
That calculation changed after Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, a Trump ally, entered the Republican primary.
The source said Blakeman’s entry made it clear Stefanik would face a contested primary.
The source said Trump’s neutrality, combined with the prospect of a prolonged primary, factored heavily into Stefanik’s decision.
“When you start to add these things up, it does not seem that you’re going to have the wind to your back in this cycle,” the source said.
The source said Stefanik’s decision to leave Congress was also driven by a sense that it was time to move on.
“I am truly humbled and grateful for the historic and overwhelming support from Republicans, Conservatives, Independents, and Democrats all across the state,” Stefanik said.
Stefanik has been one of Trump’s most loyal allies in Congress and defended him during both impeachment proceedings.
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) appeared on Fox & Friends, where he took the opportunity to discuss significant issues affecting Americans as the country approaches the midterm elections.
Johnson expressed that he is “very confident” President Donald Trump will soon announce a peace deal with Iran.
“This will allow 60 days to get the details done, and the number-one condition has been that Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon,” Johnson said.
“We’ll take care of the nuclear dust. We’ll get the Strait of Hormuz reopened, which will be great for gas prices here and stability around the world,” he continued.
“And that’s why all the regional allies there and all the regional countries are following U.S. leadership under President Trump.”
“Let’s talk politics here,” interjected co-host Rachel Campos-Duffy.
“What does this mean for you and the midterms? Because I know this consumes your thoughts a lot,” she said.
“Yeah, it’s a big thing,” Johnson began.
“Obviously we’ve done a lot of work: The Big Beautiful Bill, the working families tax cut — all of the legislation has been geared towards the cost of living, affordability, bringing the cost of living down,” he said.
“We put in all those conditions in the economy to let it take off like a rocket, and we were doing that at the beginning of the first quarter, and then the Iran skirmish began,” said the Speaker.
“So, when this settles down, gas prices come back down to earth, that means your grocery prices come down again because of transport costs and all the rest,” he said.
“It’s going to be a big factor. The kitchen table issues are gonna decide the midterms.”
“Can those things come down in time to help you out in the midterms?” Campos-Duffy then asked.
“Yes, we got plenty of runway, we have better candidates, we have a fundraising advantage,” Johnson said.
“We’re super excited about the midterms. I’m absolutely convinced that we’re gonna grow the majority and get this done and make history,” he added.
BREAKING: Dolly Parton’s Cause Of Death Revealed: ‘Brief Battle’
Dolly Parton’s death came after a brief battle with cancer, her representatives revealed Tuesday.
The country music legend died Aug. 25 at Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center in Nashville. She was 80.
Parton had been admitted to the cancer center Friday, four days before her death. Her representatives confirmed the cancer diagnosis in a statement to PEOPLE but did not disclose what type she had.
“Our beloved Dolly Parton spent her life and career bringing joy, laughter, hope and integrity into everything she touched. Her unmatched generosity reached the lives of countless people whom she would never meet, yet she was always there to offer a helping hand,” the statement read.
“Whether it be the hundreds of millions of books donated through her invaluable Imagination Library or funding research that helped create a lifesaving vaccine used around the world, Dolly’s unconditional love for all people was the guiding force for her lasting impact. After bravely facing a brief battle with cancer, Dolly departed her Earthly life today at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center surrounded by loved ones,” the statement concluded.
The “Jolene” singer had also been dealing with kidney and autoimmune issues before her death, PEOPLE previously reported.
Just days earlier, Dolly Parton opened up about her declining health and acknowledged that she had put off addressing some medical issues while caring for her husband, Carl.
“As I’ve shared in video messages throughout the past year, I am dealing with some health issues that I just didn’t pay attention to when I was watching over [my husband] Carl. You know, this isn’t the first time I’ve had to manage something like this. Back in the early ’80s, I was down for several months with female issues, and I was struggling with my weight at the time too, so it’s not like I haven’t been through hard times with my health,” Parton told PEOPLE.
Her nephew, Bryan Seaver, announced her death in an Instagram video Tuesday on behalf of the Parton and Owens family.
“My name is Bryan Seaver, son of Cassie Parton, and I’m representing the Parton and Owens family today announcing the passing of my aunt, Dolly Rebecca Parton Dean, Sister, Sis and Granny to one generation and Gigi to the next,” he says in the video.
Seaver, who served as Parton’s head of security for more than two decades, said she had asked him years earlier to deliver the announcement.
“This video announcement is something Dolly asked of me years ago, before I fully absorbed it as a future reality,” he continued. “As her head of security for more than two decades, a role my father Larry held before me, I have imagined the heaviness of this moment but haven’t truly felt it until now.”
Seaver said the moment brought immense pride and heartbreak, but he took comfort in his faith that Parton had been reunited with Carl and other loved ones.
Seaver added: “It is an honor, an honor that is mixed with absolute pride and great sadness. But sadness lies with us, not with Dolly. Dolly has lived in the light and is in the arms of Jesus, surely met by Carl, her parents and countless othe
