Anthony Constantino Wins NY House GOP Primary After Spending $10 Million With Trump’s Backing
Updated
Updated · POLITICO · Jun 23
Anthony Constantino Wins NY House GOP Primary After Spending $10 Million With Trump’s Backing
3 articles · Updated · POLITICO · Jun 23
Summary
Anthony Constantino, CEO of Sticker Mule, defeated Assemblymember Robert Smullen in Tuesday’s Republican primary to replace Elise Stefanik in a deep-red upstate New York House district.
Trump’s endorsement helped power the win, and Constantino amplified it with $10 million of his own money, including more than $3.8 million on TV ads versus Smullen’s roughly $500,000.
The race turned unusually bitter for a safe Republican seat: Constantino branded Smullen “Slime Bob,” Smullen called him unfit and refused a post-debate handshake.
Constantino now heads toward November needing to mend party ties, with Smullen still on the ballot on the Conservative Party line and Constantino facing a defamation suit from party leader Jerry Kassar.
The result underscores Trump’s sway in a district he carried in all three presidential runs and follows Stefanik’s decision to leave Congress after abandoning a gubernatorial bid.
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NY-21 Republican Primary Shock: Constantino’s $6.2M Self-Funded Win, Trump’s Influence, and the Risk of a Split GOP Vote in 2026
Overview
Anthony Constantino achieved a surprising victory in the Republican primary for New York’s 21st Congressional District, positioning himself to run for the seat previously held by Elise Stefanik, who decided not to seek another term. Constantino’s win was driven by his substantial self-funding, which allowed him to bypass traditional fundraising and control his campaign message without relying on party donors. His financial independence and bold outsider persona appealed to voters who were wary of establishment influence, helping him stand out in a race that defied expectations and signaled a shift in local GOP dynamics.