Elise Marie Stefanik, born July 2, 1984, in Albany, New York, is an American politician and member of the Republican Party. She has represented New York’s 21st congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives since 2015 and has served as the chair of the House Republican Conference since 2021.
Stefanik graduated from Harvard University with a degree in Government. She began her political career in the George W. Bush administration’s Domestic Policy Council and later worked in the office of the Chief of Staff. In 2014, at the age of 30, she became the youngest woman elected to Congress at that time.
Initially known as a moderate conservative, Stefanik shifted to a more staunchly pro-Trump stance during his presidency. She opposed Trump’s first impeachment and supported efforts to overturn the 2020 election results. Her loyalty to Trump led to her election as chair of the House Republican Conference in May 2021, succeeding Liz Cheney.
In December 2023, Stefanik gained national attention for her intense questioning of university presidents during a congressional hearing on antisemitism, which contributed to the resignation of the University of Pennsylvania’s president. She was subsequently awarded the “Dr. Miriam and Sheldon Adelson Defender of Israel Award” by the Zionist Organization of America.
In November 2024, President-elect Donald Trump nominated Stefanik to serve as the United States Ambassador to the United Nations. She accepted the nomination, marking Trump’s first selection requiring Senate confirmation for his new administration.
Stefanik’s nomination reflects her rapid rise within the Republican Party and her alignment with Trump’s policies. Her role as U.N. Ambassador will involve addressing complex international issues, including tensions with Russia and China.
Her departure from Congress to assume the U.N. Ambassador role will prompt a special election to fill her seat in New York’s 21st congressional district. The district is expected to remain under Republican control.
Stefanik resides in Schuylerville, New York, with her husband, Matthew Manda, and their child.