Elise Stefanik Could Be Just What the GOP Needs

Rep. Elise Stefanik (N.Y.) seems tapped to succeed Rep. Liz Cheney (Wyo.) as the third-ranking member of House Republican leadership. Despite misgivings among more conservative members of the party, Stefanik could be just the type of new leader the GOP needs.

For many Americans, Stefanik first emerged into view as one of President Donald Trump’s staunchest defenders during the House impeachment hearings in 2019. Her questions were smart and, more politically important, her demeanor was unyielding. This earned her the enmity of progressives who funneled more than $5 million to the campaign of her 2020 Democratic opponent, Tedra Cobb. Stefanik’s national presence allowed her to raise more than twice as much, which — combined with the rural, blue-collar district’s pro-Trump lean — allowed her to thrash Cobb by nearly 18 points. Trump’s public endorsement of her to replace Cheney will merely confirm to some observers that Stefanik is merely another loud Trump acolyte.