The House GOP has elected Rep. Elise Stefanik as conference chairwoman after ousting Liz Cheney from the post this week.
Stefanik won in a 134-46 vote, defeating conservative Texan GOP Rep. Chip Roy, who jumped into the race Thursday evening. She now serves as the only woman in House GOP leadership.
In her statement following the meeting, Stefanik said the Republican Party is “united in our focus to fight on behalf of the American people.”
My statement as the newly elected House GOP Conference Chair. pic.twitter.com/emb6lNxPRm
— Elise Stefanik (@EliseStefanik) May 14, 2021
She also pledged to continue to “fight for our North Country values in Washington” and thanked her district for their support.
Thank you to my constituents in New York’s 21st Congressional District for the outpouring of support!
Upstate New York and #NY21 is the example of how to grow the Republican Party. I will continue to fight for our North Country values in Washington.
— Elise Stefanik (@EliseStefanik) May 14, 2021
The former New York state representative used her four terms advocating for veterans and military families, pursuing energy policies and make education higher quality and more affordable, according to her House biography.
Both former President Trump and House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy had endorsed Stefanik for the position ahead of Friday’s vote.
“I’m proud of President Trump’s support,” Stefanik said Thursday evening ahead of the vote. “He is the most important leader in our party for voters, and it’s going to be important that we work as a team to win the majority in 2022.”
That same evening Stefanik shared her thoughts on why she was running for the coveted position of House chair.
“We have strong conservative policy solutions to protect our borders, secure our elections, reopen our schools, get Americans back to work, support law enforcement, protect our Constitution, and strengthen our military to counter adversaries like the Chinese Communist Party,” she wrote. “If we get our message out, we will win and save America.”
Stefanik included the highlighting of House members’ diversity as part of her goals for her new position. “Our Members have incredible personal stories and diverse backgrounds that embody the American Dream and our conservative principles,” Stefanik said.
“I will work hard today and every day to listen and earn your confidence and support as House GOP Conference Chair,” she concluded.
Trump congratulated Stefanik on her appointment:
Statement by Donald J. Trump, 45th President of the United States of America: pic.twitter.com/Ds5v4jnBbE
— RSBN (@RSBNetwork) May 14, 2021
In a post-appointment interview, Stefanik said there is room in the GOP for Trump critics such as Cheney and Illinois Rep. Adam Kinzinger but said the “vast majority” of the conference all “look forward to working with President Trump.” {eoa}
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