Rep. Elise Stefanik joins Trump Cabinet; Special election to fill her New York seat

President-elect Donald Trump has nominated U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik for a Cabinet post in his incoming administration, setting the stage for a special election to fill her congressional seat in New York state.

The New York Post reports that Stefanik, one of the highest-ranking Republicans in the House of Representatives and a close Trump ally, will serve as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations in the Trump White House.

“I am honored to nominate Chairwoman Elise Stefanik to serve as U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations in my Cabinet. Elise is an incredibly strong, tough and smart America First fighter,” Trump said in a statement.

Stefanik, who was re-elected Tuesday in New York’s 21st Congressional District, said she would accept the role.

“It is a great honor to receive President Trump’s nomination as U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations in his Cabinet,” Stefanik told the Post. “During my conversation with President Trump, I expressed how excited I am to accept his nomination and that I look forward to winning the support of my colleagues in the U.S. Senate.”

Stefanik, 40, was first elected to Congress in 2014 and rose through the GOP ranks thanks to her support for Trump, including being tipped as his potential vice presidential running mate earlier this year. The Harvard University graduate also made headlines in December when she questioned college presidents about anti-Semitism on campus and was named one of Time Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People in April.

Nikki Haley was the first of three people to serve as UN ambassador in Trump’s first term, which led to the United States withdrawing from the UN Human Rights Council; She resigned in 2018 and later ran for president against Trump. He also severed ties with the United Nations World Health Organization in 2020 and criticized the WHO during the Covid pandemic. The U.S. re-engaged with both in President Joe Biden’s administration.

Stefanik, one of the first people appointed to Trump’s Cabinet, said she plans to lead his “restoration of peace in America through strong leadership on the world stage on day one at the United Nations.”

“America continues to be the lighthouse of the world, but we expect and must demand that our friends and allies be strong partners in the peace we seek,” Stefanik told the Post. “The work ahead is immense as we see anti-Semitism skyrocketing, coupled with four years of disastrously weak U.S. leadership that has significantly weakened our national security and weakened our standing in the eyes of allies and adversaries. “

According to the Post, Stefanik’s departure would mean Gov. Kathy Hochul would have to call a special election within 10 days of her seat becoming vacant.

According to the New York State Board of Elections, Stefanik won her re-election with more than 60% of the vote over Democratic challenger Paula Collins. The Republican nominee to replace Stefanik will be chosen by the county’s GOP chairs rather than a primary, according to the Post.

Stefanik’s new position must be confirmed by the US Senate, where the Republican Party regained the majority in Tuesday’s election. Trump has encouraged Senators John Thune of South Dakota, John Cornyn of Texas and Rick Scott of Florida, who are running to replace Mitch McConnell as the new Republican leader of the Senate, to authorize him to appoint some nominees without a vote in the Senate.

“Every Republican senator seeking the coveted leadership position in the United States Senate must agree to recess appointments (in the Senate!), without which we will not be able to confirm people in a timely manner,” Trump wrote on Truth Social, adding that cabinet positions should be filled “IMMEDIATELY”!