Northern Representative Stefanik is celebrating her sixth re-election to Congress

Nov 05, 2024 —

North Country Congresswoman Elise Stefanik has won her sixth term. According to the unofficial election results, Stefanik easily defeated her Democratic challenger Paula Collins by around 25 percentage points.

House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., speaks during an election night party Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024, in Shreveport, La. At left is U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton)

Rep. Stefanik's large margin of victory over Collins was to be expected. Stefanik had tremendous advantages in fundraising and national exposure.

NCPR would normally have a tape of Stefanik's victory speech, but her campaign declined to tell us where she was on election night. According to the Associated Press, Stefanik spent election night in Louisiana.

Outside a polling station in St. Lawrence County, Tom Questel voiced his support for Stefanik.

“She has done a lot for Upstate New York, trying to raise the necessary funds to keep us going,” Questel said. “She was a strong advocate for law and order and for our military down at Fort Drum.”

Stefanik has emerged as one of Donald Trump's biggest supporters, a position that is proving effective in the northern part of the country, where Trump won all but one district on Tuesday. And it has risen in the rankings in recent years. Stefanik is now the fourth-ranking Republican in the House and serves as chairman of the GOP conference.

Patrick Hanss of Rensselaer Falls also voted for Stefanik on Tuesday. “She is definitely a strong supporter of Northern New York, she is my preferred candidate,” Hanss said. “Our values ​​align.”

But as Stefanik's star has risen, Hanss says, it seems her focus has shifted to the district. He wishes she was in the district more often, meeting with her constituents locally and working with local leaders.

“I'm not particularly happy with the short time Elise spends in the Northland. I think she spends too much time focusing on national politics and the party.”

Stefnaik has used her national influence to raise more than $14 million this election cycle. Most of these donations come from outside New York. Meanwhile, Democrat Paula Collins raised less than $140,000. Collins, a cannabis advocate, also held many events later in the election cycle, although she said her candidacy reflected a rebuilding of the Democratic Party in the North Country and that she plans to challenge Stefanik again in two years.

Stefanik had a different campaign strategy this year. She did not discuss her Democratic challenger. Nor did it hold any large, publicly planned rallies. But Stefanik has campaigned for Donald Trump in New York City, Virginia and North Carolina.

“I feel like she doesn't always have her own ideas,” said Oswegatchie resident Matthew Mastine, “and she's just trying to position herself for higher office, that's how I feel personally.”

Meanwhile, Mary Lamere of Rensselaer Falls said her opinion of Stefanik has changed during her 10 years in Congress.

“At first I was happy with Elise Stefanik and now I think she has become more one-sided,” Lamere said.

Lamere wouldn't say who she voted for in this election, but said she no longer feels like she can speak her mind to someone like Elise Stefanik.

Nevertheless, Stefanik still enjoys a lot of support in the Nordland. Rick Cerminara, a Republican from Saranac Lake, voted for Stefanik on Tuesday, largely based on her party affiliation.

“To be honest, I don’t always follow the politics of the day,” Cerminara said. “All I know is I usually vote Republican. “I don't know, I think she's doing a good job in my opinion.”

Stefanik released a statement on social media celebrating her victory and saying, “I will always give this district the voice it deserves.” NCPR has reached out to Paula Collins for comment but has not yet heard back.

Catherine Wheeler contributed to this report.