Elise Stefanik sees stock rise in Trump ‘veepstakes’

Rep. Elise Stefanik’s (R-N.Y.) stock is rapidly rising in the race to be former President Trump’s running mate.

Stefanik, the No. 4 House Republican, has become a close ally of Trump’s and has increasingly positioned herself as a betting favorite to be on the GOP presidential ticket if the front-runner wins his party’s nomination.  

She’s made campaign stops to boost the former president, frequently issues statements and social media messages backing him and at times echoes his controversial language. She’s also made political and legislative moves that highlight her loyalty to Trump.  

In early January, Stefanik yanked her endorsement of Craig Riedel, a GOP House candidate in Ohio, after leaked audio showed him calling Trump “arrogant” and saying he did not want the former president’s endorsement. In a post on X, she said “I was very disappointed in his inappropriate comments regarding President Trump.”