Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY) is publicly denying claims that she spoke with Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) about the New York governor’s race. She says that the two have not had conversations about her plans to run and leave the House Republican conference.
Johnson told reporters during the GOP’s weekly press conference on Tuesday that he was “having conversations” when asked if he’s spoken to Stefanik and Rep. Mike Lawler (R-NY) about their intentions for the governor’s race.
But Stefanik immediately pushed back on that narrative, saying it was “not true.”
“I have had no conversations with the Speaker regarding the Governor’s race,” Stefanik said on X. “Looking forward to the conversation about [state and local tax] with NY Members tomorrow. Stay tuned.”
A couple hours later, Johnson told reporters that he “just talked” to Stefanik and clarified their talks.
“Elise is one of my closest friends, we haven’t specifically talked about her running for governor,” the speaker said. “We heard about all these other things and um, she’s coming in to visit with me and it’s all good.”
It’s very rare that members of leadership spar with each other publicly, as they are usually in lockstep on legislation and conference issues with very little daylight.
However, after President Donald Trump pulled her nomination to become U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, eyes have been on Stefanik, chairwoman of House Republican leadership, and her relationship with Johnson and other GOP leaders.
Both the president and House leaders said Stefanik’s nomination was pulled because of Republicans’ razor-thin majority in the House. Johnson can only afford to lose three votes on legislation to pass it along party lines. With controversial legislation like appropriations and fighting over the upcoming budget megabill, the speaker needs every vote he can get.
Though the atmosphere between Stefanik and leadership appeared pleasant, Stefanik had not voted in the House since Trump’s March 27 withdrawal of her nomination until April 9. The infighting shows that Johnson, who served as Stefanik’s vice chairman when she led the conference, and Stefanik may not be on the same page.
With Stefanik no longer in consideration for the U.N. ambassadorship, speculation has circulated whether she will remain in Congress, as she was preparing to vacate her seat upon her nomination moving forward on April 2. After losing her shot at the administration, several of Trump’s allies and New York Republicans encouraged her to run in the 2026 gubernatorial race to oust incumbent Kathy Hochul (D-NY).
If Stefanik enters the governor’s race, it will all but ensure that House colleagues are pitted against each other. Lawler told Fox 5 New York he plans to decide by June whether to enter the race. Once they launch bids, the lawmakers will no longer be eligible for reelection.
Stefanik’s seat is considerably redder than Lawler’s, whose seat is considered one of the most competitive in the country. Lawler is one of three Republicans representing a district former Vice President Kamala Harris won in 2024. Lawler forgoing reelection for a governor bid would place Johnson in a difficult position to fulfill his promise to maintain and grow the majority, as Democrats only need a net gain of three seats to flip the House.
ELISE STEFANIK CONSIDERING NEW YORK GOVERNOR’S RUN AFTER LOSING TRUMP CABINET NOMINATION
“I love them both, they’re two of my favorite people and my most trusted colleagues, and they’re both super talented, which is why they get talked about for doing other things,” Johnson said.
“My preference is that they all stay here with me, right? We get the job done,” Johnson added. “But I don’t begrudge anybody for having other opportunities.”