Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY) will vacate her House seat if and when she takes office as ambassador to the United Nations, and a special election will determine who replaces her in the House.

“I am not done providing public service to the people of upstate New York,” Molinaro said when asked if he would run again.

“I am not done providing public service to the people of the state of New York and, quite frankly, considering what options might be available to me moving forward,” he added after a reporter asked him if he would run for Stefanik’s seat.

When the reporter said, “That’s not a no,” Molinaro nodded, with a slight smirk on his face before walking away.

Not a ‘no’ when I asked Rep. Molinaro if he could run for Rep. Stefanik’s seat if/when she’s confirmed as UN Ambassador.

“I am not done providing public service to the people of the state of NY & – quite frankly – considering what options might be available to me moving forward” pic.twitter.com/37OVQ0OaTo

— Kevin Frey (@KevinFreyTV) November 13, 2024

While Molinaro has no governing experience within Stefanik’s 21st Congressional District, he does have statewide recognition from Republicans who voted for him in the 2018 gubernatorial race against then-Gov. Andrew Cuomo.

He won New York’s 21st Congressional District by about 13 points more than his own 19th Congressional District in that election.

If chosen to run, Molinaro would likely win the district. But other Republicans are likely jockeying for the spot as well, which will be chosen by some of the state’s county GOP chairpeople. The special election will take place 90 days after Stefanik’s departure.

A Democrat would be unlikely to win in the district no matter who runs. Stefanik won her district by double digits in all six of her congressional bids.