President-elect Donald Trump has nominated North Country Representative Elise Stefanik to serve in his cabinet as the next U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, describing Stefanik as a "tough and smart America First fighter."
Stefanik said she was "deeply humbled" by the nomination. As the news of her nomination spread on Monday, Republican officials in New York and around the country celebrated her success.
"Elise has been a phenomenal House Republican Conference Chair," said David Laska, communications director for New York’s Republican Party. “She is an all-star in the Republican Party, and this was a wise and thoughtful decision by President Trump.”
Stefanik has served on the House Armed Services Committee and Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence.
Stefanik's political transformation
She was first elected to Congress in 2014 as a moderate Republican and later morphed into a Trump loyalist who describes herself now as ultra-MAGA.
Phil Klinkner, a professor of government at Hamilton College, said her loyalty to Trump likely helped Stefanik earn this nomination.
"I think what Trump wants is not just a generic Republican, not necessarily somebody with foreign policy experience, but somebody he knows that will be totally loyal and will be very aggressive in pushing his worldview," Klinkner said.
Trump's more isolationist worldview differs from what Stefanik embraced during her earlier years in Congress. In 2016, Stefanik was critical of Trump’s relationship with Russia. At the time, she told North Country Public Radio that she had concerns about Trump’s approach to national security.
Since 2020, Stefanik has embraced Trump's style of politics and his approach to foreign relations. Earlier this year, she voted against sending additional military aid to Ukraine. Then last month Stefanik said the Biden administration had allowed the U.N. to “rot with antisemitism.”
"She’ll be there to be a very vocal critic of the U.N., be a very vocal critic of those countries that the Trump administration perceives as America’s enemies, " Klinkner said, "but there’s not a lot that she can really do there. The U.N. ambassador does not control U.S. foreign policy. It’s really very much just a symbolic role.”
The nomination wasn’t a surprise to Grant Reeher, professor of political science at Syracuse University's Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs.
Reeher said of all the possibilities for Stefanik in the Trump administration, U.N. ambassador makes sense, especially because of her reputation for being a strong advocate in unfriendly terrain.
He also noted she’s a staunch supporter of Israel.
"You know, Trump is clearly a strong ally of Israel, and he probably wanted someone who's … willing to be, if necessary, a combative voice," he said.
Reeher also said this could be a springboard for the four-term congresswoman to more powerful jobs.
“That could mean in another administration, a higher position in the administration, some sort of Cabinet post,” he said. “Or if she wants to come back and pursue elective politics, that gives her a particular portfolio that would allow her, I think, to compete, say, for statewide office."
Madeleine Albright, who served as U.N. ambassador during the Clinton administration, eventually became secretary of state. Alternatively, Klinkner said it could lead Stefanik on the path to becoming national security adviser or could help a potential future presidential bid.
A special election in NY21
Early next year, Stefanik would need to be approved by the Senate before she can assume the role as U.N. ambassador. She also would need to file paperwork to vacate her seat in Congress. Once that’s complete, Gov. Kathy Hochul must call a special election, which would take place in the next few months.
Bill Owens was the last person to win a special election in the North Country in 2009 when Rep. John McHugh was tapped for secretary of the Army under Barack Obama.
Owens, who ran as a moderate Democrat, said his resume helped him win the special election in a district that had long been represented by a Republican.
"I was a veteran and that played well in the broader district," Owens said. "I had been involved in economic development so I could talk about jobs.”
Owens also had a close working relationship with Republican Ron Stafford, who served in the state Senate for more than 30 years.
Republicans and Democrats consider their candidates
Since Owens left office in 2014, the North Country has become increasingly more conservative. Donald Trump won every county in the congressional district this election.
"We can win this race without spending a dollar if we had to," Laska said. "This is a safe Republican seat. We’re going to retain it.”
It’s unclear who the Republican candidate will be or when that will be made public. It’s up to the Republican party chairs from each county in the district to decide on their candidate.
As for Democrats, one name that's been mentioned is Assemblyman Billy Jones from Clinton County. Jones himself wouldn’t say whether he’d consider a run.
"People have talked to me about it, but as far as sitting down and talking to party officials, that has not happened yet," Jones said.
One person who has thrown her name in the ring is Paula Collins. The Democrat with roots in New York City challenged Stefanik this election and lost by nearly 25 points. Collins said there were a few big takeaways from that race.
"I needed to talk about what’s going to put gas in their car, groceries on their table, and money in their bank so they can pay rent, and that’s what I’m going to do for this special election," Collins said.
Laska said if Collins is on the ballot again, he’s confident Republicans will prevail in a special election.
"They rejected her once, and they’ll reject her again if she’s the nominee," Laska said. "If Democrats were smart, they wouldn’t put her up, but that remains to be seen what they’ll do.”
It also remains to be seen which party will control the majority in the House. Depending on the final tally, picking up one additional district in New York early next year could be crucial.
Includes reporting from WRVO reporter Ellen Abbott.