How Trump’s non-endorsement demoralized Stefanik and drove her to end her campaign for governor: sources

Shocked New York Republicans said Rep. Elise Stefanik likely decided to end her gubernatorial campaign after President Trump hedged his endorsement — raising the prospect of her eventual defeat.

It was the second major let-down for the upstate Republican and loyal Trump backer, and prompted her to end her bid for Albany just weeks after her Nov. 7 campaign launch, despite leading in the polls.

The key moment came last week, when Trump publicly called Stefanik and primary challenger Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman – his longtime friend – “two fantastic people” in response to a question by The Post.

He underlined his neutrality by hosting each of them separately at the White House in the days that followed – inviting Blakeman to a White House Hanukkah reception Tuesday.

“That has to be demoralizing when you kind of hitch your wagon to him and then he doesn’t come out and emphatically endorse you,” one New York Republican operative told The Post.

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