Rep. Elise Stefanik’s roller coaster of a year has finally reached its end. The Republican pulled out of the race for New York governor — and also passed on a reelection bid — on Dec. 19, explicitly acknowledging that “it is not an effective use of our time … to spend the first half of next year in an unnecessary and protracted Republican primary.” Her decision leaves Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, 70, as the clear frontrunner for the GOP nomination to challenge Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul.