Trump bucks New York GOP in 21st congressional district primary race

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(The Center Square) — President Donald Trump has weighed in on a New York GOP primary race to replace outgoing Rep. Elise Stefanik, endorsing a political newcomer over the candidate backed by the state's Republican Party.

Trump announced over social media Tuesday that he’s backing Republican Anthony Constantino over state Assemblyman Robert Smullen — who is backed by the New York GOP and the state Conservative Party — in the wide-open race to fill the upstate congressional seat in the fall midterms.

“It is my Great Honor to endorse America First Patriot, Anthony Constantino, who is running to represent the fantastic people of New York’s 21st Congressional District," Trump posted on Truth Social Tuesday. "HE IS A GREAT GUY WHO WILL NEVER LET YOU DOWN!" 

Constantino said Trump called him to "jovially" announce that he was endorsing his candidacy and said the president also "acknowledged" his boxing career during the conversation. 

"His words were better than I expected," Constantino said in a statement. "It is uncommon for a CEO to box professionally, but I did, and it taught me to fight, fight, fight, which I will do in Congress to make President Trump and everyone who supported me proud." 

The president's endorsement in the congressional race is viewed as a snub to NY GOP chairman Ed Cox, who threw the party's support behind Smullen's bid for the seat last month, calling him "a fearless champion for conservative principles and for the people of Upstate New York. 

"He has stood up to one-party rule, defended our constitutional freedoms, backed law enforcement, and fought for the rural communities that are too often ignored by New York’s political establishment," Cox said in a statement at the time. "I’m proud to endorse him and look forward to helping send him to Washington." 

Smullen, a retired Marine colonel, jumped into the race for New York's 21st congressional district shortly after Stefanik announced that she was bowing out of the GOP race for governor and leaving Congress. He has described himself as the only “Trump-appointed conservative” in the race.

In a statement, Smullen said he still supports Trump but thinks the president "made a mistake" by endorsing his political rival in the race. He called Constantino "mentally unfit" to serve in Congress. 

Stefanik's decision to step down from Congress came after Trump turned her down for an ambassadorship job he had previously dangled. The president also later endorsed Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman for governor, prompting her to bow out of the gubernatorial race.

Constantino, a former Democrat, is seeking the GOP nomination in the June 23 state primary by running as an outsider with endorsements from Trump allies, former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, political operative Roger Stone, and other MAGA-world conservatives. 

As the CEO of Sticker Mule, a custom apparel company, he gained notoriety for a court fight with local zoning officials over a “Vote for Trump” billboard he had installed on the rooftop of his business in the Albany region. 

"Anthony has been such a Great Supporter that he actually put up a somewhat ‘controversial’ sign, against strong opposition, in my honor," Trump said in his endorsement statement. "The sign is still there!”