The lawmaker, who leads the House Republican Conference, is a Trump loyalist, a strong Israel supporter, and a Harvard graduate.
President-elect Donald Trump has picked Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.) as ambassador to the United Nations.
In a statement on his choice, Trump described Stefanik, 40, as “an incredibly strong, tough, and smart America First fighter.”
Now, Stefanik must be confirmed by the Senate. Trump has pushed for whoever is selected as Senate majority leader to enable recess appointments of Trump administration officials.
The ambassador represents the United States at the body, including at the U.N. Security Council, where the United States is one of just five permanent members.
Here are nine things to know about the candidate.
1. Youngest Woman Elected to Congress
Stefanik defeated both Democrat Aaron Wolf and Green Party candidate Matt Funiciello in 2014 in the contest to represent New York’s 21st District, a sprawling section of Upstate New York that stretches to the Canadian border.
When she began serving, she was just 30 years old—at the time, a record for a female member of Congress. Another woman from New York, Rep. Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.), set a new record several years later, entering Congress in 2019 at just 29.
2. Chairs the Influential House Republican Conference
Stefanik also chairs the House Republican Conference, making her third in GOP leadership behind Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) and Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-Minn.). She has been in that role since 2021 after replacing former Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.).
Trump’s call for her to serve as U.N. ambassador has kicked off a scramble among Republicans seeking to fill the critical position. The conference communicates the party’s message to House Republicans through periodic meetings led by the chair.
3. A Strong Supporter of Israel
Stefanik has stood out as a staunch backer of Israel, particularly after the Oct. 7, 2023, land, sea, and air attack on the Jewish state by the Hamas terrorist group.
In a hearing late last year, she questioned Harvard’s then-president, Claudine Gay, over allegations of anti-Semitism during protests roiling the Ivy League university’s campus.
“Harvard ranks the lowest when it comes to protecting Jewish students. This is why I’ve called for your resignation,” she said.
Gay resigned in January.
Stefanik visited Israel earlier this year.
During the 2024 cycle, Stefanik received hundreds of thousands of dollars from the American Israeli Public Affairs Committee.
The likely future ambassador’s support for Israel contrasts sharply with the U.N.’s continued condemnation of the Jewish state with regard to its conflict with Hamas.
A September resolution from the body called on the nation to “end without delay its unlawful presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.”
4. A Friend to Trump
Stefanik began to stand with Trump in August 2016 and maintained that support months later after an audio recording of the presidential candidate speaking to Billy Bush of “Access Hollywood” was released, though she condemned the language that he used.
In the years since, she has positioned herself as a staunch Trump ally. Stefanik’s support during his first term as president helped fuel the campaign of her 2020 opponent, Democrat Tedra Cobb. Her 2021 bid to replace Cheney as GOP conference chair was bolstered by a Trump endorsement.
In 2023, Stefanik and Rep. Marjorie Taylor-Greene (R-Ga.) introduced resolutions that aimed to expunge the two Democrat-led impeachments of Trump. Stefanik also filed an ethics complaint against Judge Juan Merchan, who presided over Trump’s criminal case in New York, highlighting Merchan’s daughter’s ties to Democratic politics.
She also campaigned with Trump in New Hampshire ahead of its first-in-the-nation primary earlier this year.
5. Discussed as Possible VP Pick
Stefanik’s backing for Trump had inspired speculation that she could be Trump’s choice as a running mate.
“I, of course, would be honored to serve in any capacity in a Trump administration,” Stefanik said on NBC’s “Meet the Press” in January. “I’m proud to be the first member of Congress to endorse his reelection. I’m proud to be a strong supporter of President Trump, and he’s going to win this November.”
“I’m focused on doing my job right now,” she said when pressed.
6. Worked for Paul Ryan
Early in her career, Stefanik was an aide to Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wis.). She helped the lawmaker prepare for his vice-presidential debate when he ran alongside Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah) in 2012. Earlier in that cycle, Stefanik worked on Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty’s presidential campaign.
7. Harvard Graduate
Born in Albany, New York, Stefanik studied at Harvard University, earning an undergraduate degree in government in 2006. She was elected vice president of the university’s Institute of Politics during her time as a student.
In January 2021, the Institute removed her from its advisory committee, citing questions she raised about the outcome of the 2020 presidential election.
8. She’s on Key House Committees
In addition to leading the House Republican Conference, Stefanik serves on multiple key congressional committees.
That includes the House Armed Services Committee, which handles defense policy. She also belongs to the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, and the Select Subcommittee on the Weaponization of the Federal Government, along with the Committee on Education and the Workforce.
9. Filling Her Predecessors’ Shoes
The U.N. ambassador post is presently occupied by Biden administration appointee Linda Thomas-Greenfield.
Stefanik would also be the successor to Trump’s previous appointees to the role, Kelly Craft and, during the first half of his term, Nikki Haley.
Over the weekend, Trump ruled out Haley and his former CIA director, Mike Pompeo, for administration posts.
Other past U.N. ambassadors include Samantha Power and Susan Rice, both of whom served under President Barack Obama, and John Bolton, who served during the presidency of George W. Bush.