Elise Stefanik faces jeers at NY event

Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.), who is expected to run for New York governor next year, was shouted down by protestors during an Upstate event on Monday, with videos of the encounter shared across social media.

Stefanik, who is the House GOP leadership chair, was met with loud jeers, as she took the mic in Plattsburgh, N.Y., in her congressional district, ultimately prompting her to ditch her prepared remarks to move onto another speaker.

The nonpartisan event was being held to honor former Clinton County Clerk John Zurlo, who died in December while in his eighth term at age 86.

“This crowd is not being respectful of John Zurlo, and he was deeply respected. I’m going to turn it back to you,” Stefanik said before stepping back from the lectern, as people continued to shout “coward” and “traitor” at her.

Stefanik is among President Trump’s most loyal allies in Congress. The president initially picked her to serve as his ambassador to the United Nations, before pulling the nomination over concerns about losing a dependable vote in the House, where Republicans have a slim 219-211 majority, with four vacancies and an emboldened small flank of conservative dissidents.

She joins a growing roster of Republicans who have faced tough crowds at events back in their districts since Trump’s return to the White House in January and the approval of his massive tax and spending package, dubbed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, in July.

Stefanik’s House office and campaign arm didn’t immediately respond to The Hill’s requests for comment.

She admonished the unruly crowd on the social platform X on Monday, though.

“Today [the district] witnessed shameful conduct by radical Far Left Democrat agitators who disgracefully attempted to drown out and silence a non-political event in Plattsburgh to honor the lifelong service of John Zurlo in Clinton County as the building was named in his honor,” Stefanik wrote. “I was proud to deliver my remarks and privately give them to one of John’s sons along with the Congressional Record presented to the Zurlo family previously.”