Republican state Assemblyman Robert Smullen has ended his bid for Congress.
Smullen’s campaign announced on Friday that after meeting with President Donald Trump in the Oval Office on Thursday, he decided not to appear on the Conservative Party ballot line this November.
According to Smullen, he and Trump discussed the need to unite Republicans and Conservatives in an effort to win New York’s 21st Congressional District previously held by Rep. Elise Stefanik.
“I am deeply honored to have met with President Trump and grateful for our discussions. I am confident in President Trump’s vision for this country and am energized about keeping NY-21 in Republican hands and finding an alternative path to continue public service myself,” Smullen said in a statement.
Sticker Mule CEO Anthony Constantino came out ahead of Smullen in the Republican primary, despite Smullen having the backing of the state Republican Party, state Conservative Party, fellow members of the state Legislature and various local GOP officials. Smullen had planned to continue to run under the Conservative Party until deciding to end his campaign.
Constantino will face Democratic nominee dairy farmer Blake Gendebien in the general election in November.