By Sam Barron | Friday, 24 April 2026 06:14 PM EDT
In the Republican primary to fill Rep. Elise Stefanik’s seat, President Donald Trump has endorsed Anthony Constantino, CEO of Sticker Mule. However, New York Republicans favor another candidate for their deep red 21st Congressional District.
Constantino, who received endorsements from Roger Stone and Rudy Giuliani, faces opposition from the party establishment that backs Republican Assemblyman Robert Smullen as the favorite. New York Conservative Party Chair Jerry Kassar stated he is a “big supporter of the president” but added they feel Trump “got it wrong” on this endorsement. Kassar has sued Constantino for defamation after the candidate claimed Kassar threatened to kill him and attempted to murder a press aide. Kassar said he spoke with the White House to get Trump to endorse Smullen.
Constantino dismissed critics as “swamp creatures,” claiming they are embarrassing themselves by not backing his candidacy. He stated, “They’re disrespecting the wishes of the president. The president stands with the citizens.” Previously, Constantino referred to Smullen as a “f coward,” alleging he did not support the president enough.
New York Republicans express concern that a messy primary could lead to Democrats flipping the seat, particularly if Constantino wins. Governor Kathy Hochul recently expressed optimism about taking Stefanik’s seat. Smullen has secured the Conservative Party’s ballot line and has not ruled out running in a general election should he lose the primary.
Both campaigns have released polling indicating their candidate is ahead. Other Republicans noted they are waiting to see if Rep. Stefanik will endorse her candidate, with Saratoga County Republican Chair Joe Suhrada stating, “That will probably mean just as much as the president’s endorsement… I would think Elise Stefanik’s endorsement would mean the most in the district.”
Trump won the district by 21 points in the 2024 election, while Stefanik won all her elections by double digits. The Cook Political Report lists the seat as “solid Republican.”
