Republican businessman Anthony Constantino, CEO of Sticker Mule, declared victory Thursday night in the closely contested race for New York’s 21st congressional district. Speaking to supporters in Albany, Constantino thanked the Trump family, Senator JD Vance, former Mayor Rudy Giuliani and political strategist Roger Stone for their encouragement.
Campaign spending and election results
Constantino highlighted that he invested $17 million of his own money into the campaign, a figure he said underscored his commitment to the district’s voters. “Three or four points, which is disappointing for me because I want to win by 20,” he said as the final vote tallies were still being reported. While the exact margin was not yet official, his Democratic opponent Blake Gendebien acknowledged that Constantino appeared set to win narrowly.
Criticism of the media
During the speech, Constantino accused local reporters of misleading the electorate. “They spent the whole time lying to the citizens of NY‑21 about Blake Gendebien,” he asserted, adding that the press failed to convey his record on job creation and tax relief. He directed profanity at several reporters, calling them a “f—ing a—hole” before escorting one out of the venue.
Bonus pledge for workers
In a move aimed at highlighting his business‑friendly philosophy, Constantino announced a $1,000 bonus for every Sticker Mule employee. “I’m officially asking every company in the United States, particularly the large ones, if you have cash in the bank, cut a check to your workers and give them a thousand‑dollar bonus,” he urged, framing the pledge as a model for corporate America.
Opponent’s response
Blake Gendebien released a statement shortly after the results began to emerge. While he noted that the final vote count was still pending, Gendebien conceded that Constantino was likely to win and extended good wishes for his upcoming term in Congress, thanking his own campaign volunteers and staff.
Local reaction
Supporters in the crowd cheered Constantino’s remarks, emphasizing the importance of a representative who understands both entrepreneurship and the concerns of working families. Critics, including several local media outlets, pointed to the profanity‑filled speech as a sign of heightened partisanship in the district.
As the district prepares for its new representative, the focus now shifts to how Constantino will translate his business experience into legislative action, particularly on issues such as job creation, tax policy and support for American workers.
Original reporting: CBS 6 WRGB Albany (local) — read the source article.
