Politics

Sticker Mule CEO Anthony Costantino came out on top in the NY-21 GOP primary. Kate Lisa / City & State New York

Northern New York Republicans have spoken, and they’re standing with President Donald Trump over party. 

Republicans in the 21st Congressional District on Tuesday decisively chose Sticker Mule CEO Anthony Constantino to be the Republican nominee to replace Rep. Elise Stefanik, with over 59% of the vote as of 11 p.m. with over 85% of election districts reporting results to the state Board of Elections. That’s compared to about 40% of ballots cast for Assembly Member Robert Smullen.

“I think it’s fair to say, I wouldn’t be here today if it wasn’t for President Trump,” Constantino said during his victory speech at Lanzi’s on the Lake in Fulton County. “I saw what he did and I said, ‘Well, I don’t act like a typical politician, either, but he doesn’t. Maybe I can make this work.’”

Trump endorsed Constantino over Smullen, a retired U.S. Marine Corps colonel, who has the backing of the state Republican Party, many local county committees and the seven Republicans in the state’s congressional delegation.

And Stefanik, who stayed silent on endorsing her replacement until tonight, finally backed Constantino after his victory became apparent, posting on X that she’s “seen enough,” adding, “In the coming months, I know Anthony will continue to work hard to earn your support.”

But the intraparty fight could be far from over. Smullen will appear on the Conservative Party line in November, and exclusively told City & State that he’s assessing his options in the coming days. Candidates have 10 days after the primary to remove themselves from a ballot line. 

“This is not the outcome that we wanted, we fought very hard,” Smullen told City & State by phone Tuesday night. “I’m very grateful to people in all 15 counties that have supported me. I have secured the Conservative ballot line for November and in the coming days, I will assess what that path forward looks like.”

Smullen congratulated Constantino on his victory, and, in response to Stefanik’s decision not to endorse him, the Assembly member said: “The people have spoken tonight, and they have made their choice for the Republican nominee.”

It’s little surprise that Constantino came out on top after Trump recorded a special video and posted on Truth Social on Monday reminding voters of why the president endorsed him. “And before running for Congress, he was a professional boxer, so he’s tough,” Trump said in the video. “Anthony was born to be a fighter, frankly.” 

Many Republican voters in NY-21 were intimidated by the nasty primary race, but now Constantino’s campaign focus is shifting to defeat dairy farmer Blake Gendebien, who won the district’s Democratic primary with 65% of the vote over Stuart Amoriell, according to Board of Elections data.

Gov. Kathy Hochul has said New York Democrats see a path to win the seat back – an even more troubling possibility for Republicans should Smullen remain on the Conservative line and splits voters. The heavily red district has over 215,000 registered Republican voters compared to about 133,688 Democrats and over 135,200 unaffiliated voters.