Rep. Elise Stefanik addressed criticism from former gubernatorial candidate Bruce Blakeman regarding her involvement in his campaign. Blakeman had called Stefanik a “selfish, do nothing politician” after his loss to Gov. Kathy Hochul.
Stefanik responded on X, acknowledging the difficult aftermath of the election results and noting her own undefeated electoral record. "I know feelings are raw in the aftermath of Tuesday’s result so I will cut some slack because while I don’t know from experience, as I have never lost any of my seven elections, I know that this is a tough loss in NY and I imagine it takes time to process,” she wrote.
She also countered Blakeman’s assertion that she “didn’t lift a finger to help Republican candidates in New York this year.” Stefanik stated, “Over the past decade, I have worked hard to campaign, support, and raise over $100M to help boost Republicans up and down the ticket across the country and the state.” She added, “I have worked for decades helping Republicans across the state and country, including him.”
Stefanik had previously been critical of Blakeman’s campaign, describing it as “low energy” after she largely remained on the sidelines during the election season. Blakeman had reportedly reached out to Stefanik for support and endorsement without a response, though Stefanik asserted she did vote for him and the rest of the Republican ticket.
The public exchange between Stefanik and Blakeman drew attention, with even Gov. Hochul commenting on the intra-party dispute. Social media users also weighed in, with some defending Stefanik and criticizing Blakeman’s remarks.
