President Donald Trump-endorsed and upstate New York sticker company CEO Anthony Constantino was victorious over Assembly member Robert Smullen in the primary race to replace Rep. Elise Stefanik in the 21st Congressional District on Tuesday, June 23.
A typically red part of the state, the 21st District consists of Clinton, Franklin, St. Lawrence, Lewis, Hamilton, Essex, Warren, Washington, Fulton, Herkimer, Montgomery, Schoharie, and parts of Jefferson, Oneida, and Saratoga counties. It borders Canada and Vermont on two sides.
“I learned a lot,” Constantino said during his victory speech Tuesday night, which was livestreamed by WNYT. “I became a much better fighter and that’s what we want going into this general election.”
Constantino will now battle it out with Democratic candidate and second-generation dairy farmer Blake Gendebien, who won the Democratic primary for the 21st Congressional District on Tuesday, defeating local business owner Stuart Amoriell, in November.
Here’s what to know about the Republican candidate.
Who is Anthony Constantino?
Constantino, who was born and raised in Edinburg, New York, owns Montgomery County-based Sticker Mule, which sells customized stickers, labels and packaging and employs mainly upstate New Yorkers.
He previously told the USA TODAY Network that the success of his company has allowed him to self-fund his campaign and has taught him the “importance of putting money into people’s pockets,” creating jobs and uplifting the community.
He was endorsed by Trump earlier this year, more than a year after he erected a large “Vote for Trump” sign in Amsterdam, New York, which can be seen from the nearby New York State Thruway. The city’s mayor attempted to have it taken down, asserting it was too distracting for drivers, but Constantino was ultimately allowed to keep the sign up.
He also shared that he bought a membership to the Trump-owned Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida back in 2020 to “show support for him” and says it will enable him to meet with the president “anytime” to “get things done for the constituents.”
Constantino has been involved in some recent controversy as he’s publicly feuded with reporters and has been involved in a legal battle with the state Conservative Party’s Chair Gerard Kassar over comments made by Kassar. Constantino also became a professional boxer in 2022, but has put his fighting career on hold while he runs for the Congressional seat.
Emily Barnes covers state government for the USA TODAY Network-New York with a focus on how policy and laws impact New Yorkers’ taxes, communities and jobs. Follow her on Instagram or X @byemilybarnes. Get in touch at ebarnes@usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Trump-backed candidate wins NY-21 primary. Who is Anthony Constantino?
Reporting by Emily Barnes, New York State Team / Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Emily Barnes, New York State Team | USA TODAY Network
