Florida Rep. Kat Cammack (R) said she hopes President Trump will choose to “elevate” Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.) after the 2026 midterms following the news this week that Trump pulled her nomination to become United Nations ambassador in order to keep her in the house.
Cammack said in an interview on Newsmax’s “Wake Up America” on Friday that Stefanik will be a “rock star” and will be welcomed back into the House and GOP leadership. She said she texted Stefanik saying, “This sucks, but we all understand.”
“But my hope is that President Trump can find a way after midterms to really elevate her profile and really put her in a place where she can continue to do a great service to our nation,” Cammack said.
The White House notified the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Thursday that it was withdrawing Stefanik’s nomination to be U.N. ambassador following rumors earlier in the day that the nomination would be pulled.
Trump later confirmed his decision on Truth Social, citing the narrow GOP House majority and the uncertainty of how the special election to replace her would play out. Stefanik’s district, the New York 21st Congressional District, is heavily conservative and voted for Trump by 21 points and Stefanik by 24 points in November.
The decision also came ahead of two special elections in Florida next week that are even more conservative-leaning, but one of which has sparked some concern about Republicans about the possibility of the Democratic candidate pulling off an upset or at least making the race much closer than normal.
Republicans currently have a 218-213 majority in the House, allowing the party to lose up to two votes and still be able to pass legislation with party-line splits.
Trump said Stefanik would rejoin the “House Leadership Team,” but what position she will hold is unclear as she gave up her post as chair of the House Republican Conference after being nominated for ambassador. Rep. Lisa McClain (R-Mich.) was chosen to take her spot, and a source has confirmed she doesn’t plan to step down.
All other top GOP leadership positions are also filled. A source had told The Hill that leaders are looking to create a position for her.
Stefanik told Fox News on Thursday night that she will stay in the House and the decision is about being a “team player.” She said Trump and her had multiple conversations during the day.