By Jim Thomas | Friday, July 3, 2026 at 5:06 PM EDT
Robert Smullen ended his campaign for New York’s 21st Congressional District on Friday by declining to appear on the Conservative Party ballot line in November, days after meeting with President Donald Trump in the Oval Office.
The State Assembly member’s withdrawal clears the path for a general election matchup between Republican nominee Anthony Constantino and Democrat Blake Gendebien for the seat vacated by Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY).
Smullen faced a Friday deadline to file paperwork with the New York State Board of Elections, declining the Conservative Party ballot line he had secured for November.
He lost the June 23 Republican primary to Constantino by a margin of roughly 58% to 39%, according to unofficial returns from the New York State Board of Elections.
Constantino, CEO of upstate New York’s print company Sticker Mule, largely funded his own campaign and received Trump’s endorsement in April. He defeated a candidate who carried the backing of the state Republican and Conservative parties and most county GOP committees.
Smullen, whose State Assembly term expires at year’s end, stated he discussed alternative paths for public service with Trump and remained confident in the president’s approach to keeping the district in Republican hands.
“I am deeply honored to have met with President Trump,” Smullen said in a statement.
New York Conservative Party Chair Gerard Kassar confirmed speaking with Smullen on Wednesday night before his decision. Kassar noted the party could nominate a replacement or leave the ballot line blank now that Smullen has withdrawn.
Constantino thanked Smullen in a statement, saying, “It was a hard-fought campaign that sharpened my skills,” and credited the primary fight with generating Republican enthusiasm heading into November.
Gendebien, a St. Lawrence County dairy farmer, defeated restaurant owner Stuart Amoriell in the Democratic primary by roughly 65% to 35%. He will face Constantino on Nov. 3 for the seat Stefanik has held since 2015.
Gendebien’s campaign highlighted Constantino’s decision to lay off dozens of Sticker Mule employees and automate those positions, while emphasizing Gendebien’s focus on cutting costs and protecting healthcare in rural communities.
Jim Thomas is a writer based in Indiana. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Political Science and a law degree from U.I.C. Law School, having practiced law for more than 20 years.
