In a departure from New York Republicans, President Donald Trump has caused a stir in New York’s 21st Congressional District primary race by endorsing Sticker Mule CEO Anthony Constantino over New York state Assemblyman Robert Smullen to replace U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik.
“It’s certainly disappointing, but fundamentally nothing has changed for this campaign,” said Smullen.
“On paper, there’s no question, Robert Smullen is the stronger of the candidate in terms of how political scientists would tend to view them,” said Syracuse University political science professor Grant Reeher. “He’s gotten a seat in the Assembly. Those are pretty big districts, he has political experience.”
With more experience and considered the better candidate by some GOP members, Reeher explains why he thinks President Trump is backing Constantino over Smullen.
“His style as a candidate seems to be more like Donald Trump in terms of the looseness of his language, saying things that are quite provocative, and that sometimes get him into trouble,” said Reeher. “And so, in all those ways, I think they’re more of a match.”
Reeher said he also believes Trump values the large electric sign Constantino placed on top of a building on Elk Street in Amsterdam supporting the president during his 2024 campaign.
In a statement to Capital Tonight, New York Republican Party Chair Ed Cox said:
“We endorsed and will continue to work with Robert Smullen as the best candidate to represent the people of NY-21 and the candidate most viable in the general election.”
Smullen has also been backed by the state Conservative Party.
“We strongly feel in Bob Smullen. We are supporting an individual who has the background, experience and knowledge to be an outstanding Congressman. We look forward to him joining the GOP Majority in January,” Party Chair Gerry Kassar said in a statement
With the endorsement, Reeher said internal conflict in the GOP party could weaken their chances of securing the seat, making it easier for a Democrat to win it.
Smullen weighed in.
“It really won’t.” he said. “We think that we are going to win this primary and that will be that.”
Constantino was unavailable for an interview with Capital Tonight. His campaign shared a statement where he said in part: “I was honored to receive an unexpected phone call from President Trump, in which he jovially told me that he was giving me his full endorsement,” said Constantino. “His words were better than I expected.”
On the Democrats side, Blake Gendebien and Stuart Amoriell are running for the seat.
Primary elections are on Tuesday, June 23.
Smullen said he has petitioned on the Conservative Party line and will be on the ballot in November.
The 21st Congressional District is made up of most of the North Country and parts of the greater Capital Region and Mohawk Valley.