The New York state Conservative Party has endorsed Republican state Assemblyman Robert Smullen in the race to succeed U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik in the 21st Congressional District, the party announced Tuesday.
“In Congress, Bob is committed to the President’s domestic and international agenda of restoring the economy, protecting our borders, and renewing the hard-earned respect we gained abroad,” the Conservative Party said in a statement. “Locally, Bob Smullen will continue the work of retiring Congresswoman Elise Stefanik, a fierce advocate for her district, who we proudly endorsed in every election she entered.”
Smullen is a retired U.S. Marine Corps colonel who served 24 years and has represented parts of Herkimer, Fulton, Montgomery, Oneida and Otsego counties in the state Assembly since 2019. He was also appointed by President Donald Trump to be a member of the President’s Commission on White House Fellows from 2018 to 2021.
“It is an honor to earn the endorsement of the New York State Conservative Party in our race for Congress,” Smullen said in a statement. “This endorsement ensures that our campaign will be on the ballot in November, and it reinforces the importance of Republicans and Conservatives coming together to keep this seat in Republican hands.”
The Conservative Party backed Smullen over Sticker Mule CEO Anthony Constantino, who is also seeking the Republican nomination for the seat. The Conservative Party is one of only two third parties – the other being the progressive Working Families Party – that will have automatic statewide ballot access in 2026.
Blake Gendebien and Dylan Hewitt are the Democrats running for the seat.
The 21st Congressional District is made up of most of the North Country and parts of the greater Capital Region and Mohawk Valley. It is being vacated by Stefanik, who was initially running for governor, but dropped that bid and will not seek reelection to her House seat.